Wonder What Leo Would Say?


Perhaps the most recognizable painting in the world is the Mona Lisa painted by Leonardo Da Vinci. As in most cases in the art world, the painting did not garner it's infamous prestige at the time Leo painted her but everyone, even the most ignorant of folks, can recognize the enigmatic smile of her ladyship. Have you ever thought what people might have said to Leo when he invited them over for a nice glass of wine and some cheese to view his latest work? Did they tell him how mysterious her smile was? How the shadows are woven so intricately you know there's more than just a painting of a woman? Or did they tell him that Mona really isn't that pretty and how the colors should have been more blue than yellow? This leads me up to my case in point......

The whole world's a critic and I'm pissed. Being a girl raised in the south, there is one common trait you will find in all southern women: we will smile and be polite even if we are mentally plotting your assassination right in front of you. It's called having manners, social graces, consideration for your fellow-man. I've recently decided this is a dying art.

Everywhere you look there is some wind-bag spouting their opinion of how, what and should. Whether it's a local, wannabe Howard Stern on the radio shouting their disapproval of the latest Metro Council debacle or the neighborhood watch-dog crying over the next Walmart ground breaking, everyone seems to feel they are entitled to share their opinion.

But wait! What about freedom of speech, you say? It was obviously important enough to our forefathers to include it in the declaration of independence - doesn't that mean everyone CAN and SHOULD be able to speak their peace? CERTAINLY! That's why I can write this blog and tell all you self-appointed critics to kiss my lily white southern ass.

Here's the rub.....I know that putting yourself in the public's eye opens yourself up FOR criticism. You put yourself out there far enough and someone, somewhere is going to eventually tell you how evil you are and offend not only you, but your family and anyone that has ever known you. It's a given. I suppose that is part of the "trade-off" for having a public life.

Being a songwriter/musician is one of those areas that automatically puts you on the radar for the critics. People will make their decision whether or not to listen or purchase an artist's work based on what reviews the critics decide to give. Personally, I think this is a bit short-sighted and prefer to make my own judgment call, but hey, there are those that do not like to think that much and leave it up to the "experts" to guide them on their next trip to Best Buy. I accept this and know full well, everyone has their own tastes and not everyone is going to like all or even some of Tassany's music. I can even live with this basic fact. I'm prepared for this basic fact.

HOWEVER, I need to point out....NO, EDUCATE is a better choice of words, on the proper way to critique and indeed when it's appropriate to critique at all.

Read each scenario carefully....this is extremely important to those of you who live to critique:

Case Study #1:

If someone says to you, "I want you to listen/look/show you something and give me your honest opinion. I want to know exactly what you think about XYZ.

Appropriate response meter: THIS is pretty much a signal to you that this person is truly asking you to critique XYZ. It's appropriate to share your opinions and ideas, whatever those might be.

Case Study #2:

If someone says to you, "I want you to look/listen/show you something. I'd really like to share XYZ with you. I'm really proud of XYZ and I think good things will come to my life as a result of XYZ.

Appropriate response meter: This is when you smile politely if you really think XYZ sounds like finger nails scratching a chalk board and say something like this; "Wow, thank you so much for sharing something so important to you. I really wish you the best with that."

Case Study #3:

If a friend comes into work wearing a new outfit and they say: "Tell me the truth, does this skirt make me look too dumpy?"

Appropriate response meter: Women will ask women this question expecting a truthful answer. Women asking men this question expect you to lie. This is the whole reason of knowing WHEN and HOW to critique.

Case Study #4:

If a friend comes into work wearing a new outfit and they say: "Hey look! I got a new skirt and it was on sale for 50% off! I just love the color and feel."

Appropriate response meter: The skirt looks like colored saran wrap stretched over a pig's ass but instead, you say, "don't you just love a good sale and wearing something new?"

Are you getting the idea yet? So the next time someone asks you to critique something, think about the way they are asking the question before you launch into how badly it sucks ass.

I harken back to the original question of this blog. What would Leo have done? I'd like to think he would have replied something like this:

"Thanks for telling me how much you hate my work. While I'll continue to paint and live on bread and moldy cheese, I will one day rejoice in knowing I created a piece of art that lives through the ages that was once said to be a piece of shit by YOU."