I learned about critics early in my art career. We had a “Crit Club” in Louisville that met each month on U of L Campus. (afterward, we would all go to Masterson’s and trash the critic.)
The critic that month was the owner of an art gallery and after looking at my watercolor of a village remarked that it was too busy and I should have painted just one door.
I thought to myself, “What does he know?” If I had wanted to paint a door I would have painted a door.
I knew from then on nothing a critic could say would affect how I felt or what I painted because I built an idiot chair where they could sit and watch me. They would not be allowed to sit at my easel They would not have my vision or touch my brushes.
That Watercolor Village painting won a ribbon at The Kentucky State Fair later that year. Sure glad it wasn’t a door. That critic’s art gallery closed in a short time. Probably not enough DOORS.