If you are like me, you enjoy getting feedback on your work. Especially from other artist's. Constructive criticism is so important for any artist to evolve. CONSTRUCTIVE! Not rude, not smug, constructive. We all can learn from one another which is something I believe people have forgotten.
I get asked a lot, especially with my 3D sculptures, how did you do that?! I try to explain the process, but over a keyboard or verbally (which isn't my strong point anymore due to my LOVELY TBI), I can never really get the words out properly. So recently I FINALLY made a YouTUBE video showing the process from start to finish, then shared it to a few Alcohol Art Community pages on Facebook.
Now, some people were shocked I did this. Aren't you afraid someone is going to steal your technique? Knock off your look? Honestly, no. Why? I have been in the creative industry for 20+ years now and only I have the hand I have. I take such pride teaching what I know to someone else, why? Because a part of you will then be with them, always. Your knowledge, your guidance will never leave the person. Whether it is someone you mentor face to face, or over the internet. That person learned from you and will now adapt that technique/knowledge to work for them.
The more the creative community holds their ideas, their techniques, their knowledge to themselves, the more the community hurts, as a whole.
Remember how the great masters were once helds apprenticeships? Trust me, I'm not Michelangelo, but even he learned from Domenico Ghirlandaio.
We need to stop holding onto our knowledge like Gollum held onto the ring.
At least that is my take on it all.