The Art Looky Loo
Welcome or Annoying?
The art looky loo. You know the type I’m referring to. You’re out at a park or a coffee shop with your sketchbook, enjoying your time out of the house. Inevitably, people will notice and hang around to watch. Unobtrusively, or so they think. But you’re very well aware of their presence.
The curious looky loo might think they’re giving you space, but you’re very well aware you’re being watched anyway. (Photo Credit: 123RF.com Copyright: Scott Griessel)
In fact, you can feel the weight of their curious eyes boring into the back of your head. One or two may gather the courage to tell you how fabulous your work is, and you’ll thank them politely, hoping and praying that they don’t launch into how they can’t even draw a stick figure.
Some artists either don’t mind or get used to the grin and bear it mode. Artists Alley at San Diego Comic Con 2006. (Photo Credit: Richard Pini)
Oddly, some people don’t mind the art looky loo. I say oddly because most artists I know would rather not have the attention. I am one of them, and as such, I rarely take my work with me to a place as public as a coffee shop. But there are artists who don’t mind the attention. I remember going to Comic Con in San Diego, CA and to airbrush conventions and there were dozens of artists there doing their thing in front of masses of eager fans and customers.
Personal experience with the art looky loo
Aside from preferring to work in the relatively safe confines of my bedroom studio, it’s the talkative art looky loo that I dread most. The conversation is distracting, but I know if I stop drawing, they’re more likely to go on and on. So, I keep my eyes focused on my work and pray that they have an appointment to get to.
I know they’re just curious and I know that they’re happy that they saw something fascinating that day. But most of the time they say things that I’m not quite sure how to respond to without sounding like a bitch.
“OMG that’s so great!” …Thank you.
“I can’t even draw a stick figure.” …I’m sure you could if you tried.
“How do you do that??” …Practice.
“Seriously…” …Practice.
“How long did it take you to learn how to draw?” …My whole life.
“Can you draw _____ for me?” …???
If curious looky loos are too much for you, finding a change of scenery at home might have to do the trick. (Photo Credit: Myra Naito)
Simple Solution?
So, to avoid all that awkwardness, I usually stay home or find a location with very little foot traffic. I wish I could engage. I really do. But it isn’t my personality type. I’m much more the keep to myself, kind of introverted, I’ll deal with humanity only if I absolutely have to kind of artist. To prove my point, this whole work from home thing brought on by COVID-19, has been heaven to me in the sense that I am working from home. It’s cut down on my social interaction by like 80%. It’s not making me stir-crazy like everyone else.
And I’m not even remotely looking forward to going back to the hours spent in traffic or having to deal with co-workers or students again. I could seriously do this all the time. So for me, I make the coffee run first and bring it back home where I can work uninterrupted. At this point, I only venture out when I need a change of scenery.
How about you? Do you enjoy having an audience or not?
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