Unsolicited Advice

I opened my email on Saturday morning to find a message from a fellow LinkedIn user. The message read in part:

"I enjoyed seeing the enthusiasm, imagination, brushwork and wide color palette in your art on your website.
"What I disliked is the graphic design of the website itself.
"In my opinion, and also along the general guidelines of graphic design, there are way too many colors and diff. fonts.
"The use of a black background is generally discouraged as it is hard on the eyes.
"Think of less is more when it comes to art and design.

"Check out my site for an example of a mature, simple design. "

And his site:http://www.aryenhart.com

  I looked at his art, even though I feel the thumbnails are too small. It really is great. Different! Different is good! I checked his bio, and he has an impressive resume'. 

  To be frank, his website nearly put me to sleep. Maybe that's because I hadn't had my coffee yet. My first impulse was to tell him how boring I think 'mature' is. But, like I said, I hadn't had my coffee yet.

  So I checked the news, my Facebook, my LinkedIn, started another Facebook page(under construction), and finished my coffee. Then I got back to his email. Here's my reply:

"Thanks for the feedback...

  "As for my website, I really appreciate your comments. I'm well aware of the general rules of design, but I'm choosing to ignore most of them. The only part of your critique that I've already considering is the font style. Other than that, I think I'll keep breaking these rules. Some people call it 'thinking outside the box'. Different colors highlight different blocks of thought. Even different fonts do this.

  "When people look at my art after they've seen it on the website, they tell me the picture do it no justice. The light passes through the vibrant paint glazes, onto the base layer, and back out in a near-glow. It's a playground for your eyes. The way I try to convey this idea is with a dark background.

  "I'm also well aware that I might fail. If I do, it will be because of me, not anybody else. That takes you off the spot.

  "Your website is classy and handsome. I'm sure it serves you well. My work is bright and playful, especially some of my fantasy art. Why would I want mature and simple? That might force me to grow up!"

  Harland Sanders was told that a fast food restaurant selling only chicken wouldn't work. He ignored them and at age 65 opened Kentucky Fried Chicken and developed a franchise business. Ted Turner was told that an all news channel was a bad idea. Now there is CNN, CNN Headline News, and a host of copy cats. Just because everyone is doing it one way, and nobody is doing it the other way, doesn't make the one way the right way.

  What's the difference between Gap, Old Navy, and J. Crew? How about Kohl's, Younkers and Macy's? Give up? I don't know either.

  My point is this: I'm trying to sell art. I will consider advice from anyone, especially other folks who sell art. But I'm ultimately responsible for my success or failure. I'll mostly listen to the folks who give me money for my art. That's what you should do. Then again, you shouldn't listen to me either.

  Now, if this gentleman checks his website's analytics (which I'm sure he does since he's an obvious expert), he'll find that someone has visited his site from this blog...that is, assuming you'll click to his site. Then he'll check this blog to see what someone is saying about his site. Hopefully he won't be offended that I included his site as a 'don't do this' example. Hopefully, he understands that I'm only forwarding my opinion by contrasting with his opinion. Hopefully, he also understands that this is exposure for him, as well as for me!

   I hope you all noticed that I used different fonts and colors!