Your criticism, or lack thereof, of Miles' work is appalling. In the latest task, nature was the theme.

Of course, all of the critics have their heads so far in Miles' colon, that not one of you realized that his entire work was a manmade machine that had nothing to do with nature. His process was mechanical, his use of bleach was chemical, and his rigorous technique was stilted and unnatural. The end product was a Rorshach Test displaying his inability to create organically.

Instead of substantively addressing Miles' shortcomings, you projected your views of "decay" onto an otherwise bland ink blot. And once again, you allowed Miles to avoid the theme in the process.

There's a reason why people dislike Miles and the favoritism toward his pretentious charade: his work is overrated.

Uh...don't you mean it functioned as a "maquette," a scale model for a larger work?

Expertise requires precision.

Must be in the editing -- on TV Miles comes across as neither sly nor charming, just as a smarmy smart-ass who knows how to con the judges, but who everyone else sees through. I suppose we should fee lucky, though, that his genius in creating a plastic "sieve" to do what was either a banal drip painting, or perhaps a step forward into a new career of bleach-patterned jeans distributorship, was not compounded by a trip to the Jersey Shore -- he might have seen one of those spinning paint wheels used to make abstract post cards or whatever they are, built a lazy-Susan under his drip-sheet, given it a spin with the paper on it, and you judges would have called the competition over right then, declaring Miles the savior of Western Art.

I'm still in shock that Abdi won -- after all, his piece exhibited actual talent and technical competence (though claiming it actually fulfilled the spirit of the "nature" challenge is stretching things), a combination which appears to be an immediate points-loser to the shows judges.

As to the comment about Peregrine as "voyeur" -- as artists we are all voyeurs, it's what we do -- observe and translate our impressions into a form for others to share.

I might agree with you wish that Jaci had re-shot her photo in the studio, but until she gets some actual honesty into her self-photos, rather than her standard coy "I'm so hot every man in the room can't take his eyes off me, but I hate it, so I'll find an excuse to get semi-naked and then I'll have an excuse to bitch more" attitude, who cares?

Good to have you back on the show.

“I am nature “- Jackson Pollack

Artist creating with nature: Christo and Jeanne-Claude > Running Fence, 1976, California Petah Coyne Walter De Maria > The Lightning Field, 1977, New Mexico Agnes Denes Andy Goldsworthy Michael Heizer Maya Lin > Vietnam War Memorial, 1982 Washington DC Ana Mendieta Robert Smithson > Spiral Jetty, 1970 Utah James Turrell > Raden Crater, unfinished Arizona

Back in the day I had an argument with a friend about what was the criteria for calling something art.

He diligently replied,“Its only called art if a human created it.”

I replied, “Can a tree be considered art?”

He said, “No.”

“What about a bonsai tree?” I responded.

He replied, “The tree was being manipulated by the hand of a human, so yes, a Bonsai tree can be considered art.”, as he picked up a sushi with his disposable wooden chop sticks.

I thought to myself,

What is more priceless then being surrounded by nature, watching the sun set on a clear summer’s day.

What struck me most about this last show is the constant flow of bulls*!% coming from both artists and judges trying to describe the work. This has been something that I've come to expect and loathe about artists. The idea that art must have some deep meaning is absolute nonsense. Listening to artists ramble on and try to make up these meanings so they can appear to be legitimate is so transparent and hilarious. Abdi's piece won because it was beautiful illustration...end of story. No need for any explanation. That is what makes great art. If you need to explain it then something is wrong. The judges and the artists in this show are promoting the typical old school art mentality that unfortunately most younger artists still adopt. Good riddance to Jaclyn who almost managed to get naked again and you messed up keeping Pergrine who's silly tree person was uninspired and boring. I actually feel some comfort in the fact that these are the best artists Bravo could find in America. Couldn't ask for a better way to judge my work against "the best".

First off, thank you Jeanne for you honesty. This blog was a great read, because I sensed the heavy editing done on the last show, and I needed a little closure. I figured there must have been some off camera discussion by the judges, and concluded that an interesting, yet severely unedited piece of work is probably better than a work that doesn't really attempt or succeed in bringing you in. Anyways, good job and good luck Abdi, Miles, and Peregrine!

This show is brilliant, and I hope it stays around for a long time, or at least until I get on.

Miles "work" is nothing but "humorous". He has mastered the system perfectly, and plays the judges like a violin. Perhaps the joke eludes you it because it's at the expense of your misplaced pompousness and pretentiousness?

Peregrine just comes off as a child hoping to be mistaken for an artist. she wears clothing to show her quirkiness and hopes that will translate into art. Nicole had a germ of an idea but her mold actually came off looking more like a womb with an egg in it...a spark of life. she may have been able to build off of that. Abdis drawing was pure art. Myles, there is an artist there, he just needs to get out of his own way. Carpenter or artist, choose.

Having caught a glimpse of the cold, clinical, monochromatic silkscreens Miles is recycling from his BA Senior Show for next week's finale, I predict the "surprise" result will put him in the runner-up position behind Abdi.

I thought this was one of the better challenges and more enjoyable episodes. By having fewer participants, we get more time with their process, and that's thoroughly enjoyable viewing.

I can only imagine how much footage is left on the virtual cutting room floor, as the personalities get the "spin" desired to add a little zip to the format.

That said, Miles has impressed from the first episode, continued to do so in the second, and while annoying (particularly with the editing?), there's no denying his talent. I would love to see his work in person.

I've been surprised (and disappointed) with Abdi's performance, and keep reminding myself that the remaining artists are incredibly young, and I can't imagine what it would be like to be holed up, forced to create in such abbreviated timeframes, miked, trailed, and cut off from your usual sources of inspiration. I was glad to see Abdi do something that shows off his talents.

As for the Peregrine-Nicole showdown, I suspect Peregrine got the nod because she is the more versatile artist.

I continue to hope that in the second season, we'll be privy to more than three seconds of guest judge artwork. (Yes, I stayed up, watched a second time, and counted.)

Jerry's face through the judging was priceless. Can't wait until next week's show.

What an awesome show. My opinion of it changes every week. I was very moved at the way everyone was helping eachother on this week's challenge. Maybe the artists help eachother every week and it's edited out, but there seemed to be quite a bit of that going on this week. Especially noted: Miles helping Perigrine to get her idea process unstuck and helping Abdi with his frame. Miles seems to be a very sweet character and his work is fascinating. In the beginning I was pretty cynical about Miles. He seemed to be channelling Jackson Pollock and just seemed like a pretentious art school kid. After many weeks of consistantly good art coming from him I have really changed my opinion. I was a bit shocked that Nicole was eliminated. Her work was pretty subtle and I think it was a little lost on the regular judges. Too bad, it was one of the best pieces. It would be great to have a companion show of the judges' decision making meetings. It seems like the guest judges' opinions consistantly have been ignored by the regular judges. Am I wrong about that?

Hooray for Abdi....drawn from earth and charcoal, floating in air with dirt below him, sensitively rendered from deep black to a touch shining light on his lips....whoa! He's alreaady a winner. Miles and Peregrine, by comparison...inspired, but a tad idiotic and immature artists. Too bad Nicole and Mark didn't make it to the finale.

I am happy that Abdi made it to the finals. Agreed, some of his work did not go over very well/missed the mark, but his last work was beautiful and I got it. I think Miles remains because he can bs so well and I am disappointed he passed through to the finale. He has some talent and potential but he needs to get over the stereotype of the angst-ridden artist. We are NOT buying it. I admit I am a bit taken with Peregrine and am interested to see what see does whether it works or not. I really like most of her last piece - I think the paper people did not work.

All in all, I am enjoying this show and hope it returns. It has inspired me to start working again. I enjoyed seeing Andre Serrano on the show - met him about 12 years ago at a lecture. It adds more flavor to the show to hear their critiques.

As usual, the haters are out complaining about Miles. Too bad for all of you he's going to the finale. I realize that modern art, conceptual art, minimalism all require the viewer to do some actual thinking and that may be challenging for some of you who would prefer to do something easy like admire a "pretty" realist picture. Get over it.

A satisfying show all around. I love that Abdi won for a work that with all the judges ” Spiritual feeling” discoursing came down to the fact he can draw really well. Jaclyn blew it by not stripping down at the shore sight, I don’t care how cold it was, the dedication to suffer through cold to take some dirty wood nymph photos would have kept her in the competition. After all nature is often about depravation and suffering as much as obvious physical beauty. She amply personifies both. Nicole feel into the judges trap they set every week by doing the actual task to literally, it just felt like some weird thing found in the woods. She likes to make little weird hairy things. Again the outside judge thought is was odd that something seeming to be so close to what the judges asked for was not good enough. The evil elf Miles deftly sabotaged the tree with legs piece by giving Peregrine toxic advice at an indecisive moment that sent her off on a tangent. All her tree person needed was a way to solidify the idea of man endless love hate/ relationship with nature, always using her bountiful resources to destroy her further. Perhaps that would have been as simple as brutally cutting the branches in the middle and putting the feet into a bucket of tar. Finally Miles dazzled with footwork hanging the art world again with a silly parody of a rude Goldberg process drip machine, The judges missed the opportunity of seeing that Miles was using a artificial way to make a complicated cool looking drip machine that pointlessly makes the” natural” act one could simply just do with a dripping brush standing over the paper. A wonderful mocking of the whole overrated conceptual art process. As usual Miles deftly arranged final elements that make more “nothing” seem like more” something” by appealing to the dealer’s inherent interior decorator instincts. I think the judges almost sensed Miles is gaming the art world, but that’s why they like him, they all do it, but don’t dare voice it as gaming is the heart of the slight of hand controls the art world

BRAVO Abdi-

No Matter what the outcome of the finalle... you are the winner in my book.

i am delighted to see jackie go...found her to be a poser extraordinaire...i have no problem w/ miles other than yes, his ocd bit is wearing thin, he reminds me of every talented artist i've ever known...self-absorbed...but...his work is consistently challenging and executed with restraint and thought...abdi is a "hit or miss" propostion, but MUCH more likeable than miles...peregrine, i like her too...and i enjoy her work very much and i think she was correct to call out jackie about the "off-time photo shoot" which yes, could have been "recreated" during "on time"...she pouted and lost...too bad so sad.

a fine group of artists & EXTRAORDINARY judges on the whole...i was ready to dislike this show and chalk it up to cheap commercialism...i was wrong...

keep doing what you are doing...BRAVO!

To me, Abdi and Miles should advance, absolutely. Abdi's piece was genius. I was heartbroken that Nicole was let go. She was the purest essence on the show. She is very talented, kind and thoughtful. Something that I found missing in Jackie and Peregrine's work.

Wow. Your references are killer. Daphne, Duchamp.... I'm a teacher, but you're my teacher.

Abdi's piece was absolutely sublime. Here's a guy who has seemed to truly struggle with his art throughout the series, and he's come out the other side with much stronger work; in vision, substance and narrative.

Out of all of the artists on the show, he's been the one who has clearly worked the hardest to get to this point, and it shows. I'm glad he's moving on to the finale. He's definitely my favorite to win.

IMO, Jaclyn showed a serious error in judgment asking her competitors' permission to use off-hours work in her piece. She allowed her opponents to exercise power over her decision-making process, where they had absolutely no jurisdiction. They don't make the rules of the show, after all. She demonstrated weakness and insecurity at a critical moment, and she paid for it, big time. As to whether her originally-intended piece would have done better, that's hypothetical. The final say is with the judges, however, not the contestants. She has nobody to blame but herself for that.

I'm sad to see Nicole go. She was my favorite of the finalists, and I certainly thought her piece was far better than Peregrine's. The good news is, I'm fairly certain Nicole will do just fine in the art world without the win.

Of course, the artists were angry about Jaclyn's "off hours" photo session. It was a blatant cry for special treatment. Any artist certainly spends more time thinking about their art than actually working on it. You can't control thought processes. But the rules limit the amount of time spent actually working on the piece.

Should they also support Peregrine sketching her cartoons at night back home in the apartment, or Nicole casting plaster in the bathroom after everyone has gone to sleep, Abdi grinding gravel in the blender in the kitchen, or Miles mixing mustard gas on the balcony?

I can't wait for the finale! I really really really want Abdi to win A) because he really is a talented artist and B) because he has an awesome attitude. All though Miles and Peregrine both are talented artist themselves I don't like thier attitudes at all. I know, I know- we're not judging the contestants here based on thier attitudes; we should be judging them on thier art right? One would think so, but sometimes it seems to boil down to who can play the judges the best, not who trully has the talent. I like this show very much and one day I would LOVE to be on it myself, but the drama does frustrate me. That's just human nature though and unfortunatly something we will never be able to do away with. I just trully hope that the prize goes to the artist with the best art, not to the actor with the best show.

Nicole got caught up in emotion instead of explaining her work, which I found quite beautiful. I think it was the simplicity, the glowing light inside the egg-like structure, the ability of nature to energize, that connected the piece to the Native American culture Nicole's explanation referred to Perhaps a longer title than Mic-Mac would have served her better. I'm sad to see her go, and happy to see Abdi make it through. I went to high school with him and he's as talented and genuine as he seems on the show. I'm always amazed at what these artists can come up with after so little time to think!

The Naked Emperor said it best! My feelings exactly. There is one good thing about this show. I now feel that I can build anything out of wood and throw in some paint or bleach OR take naked pics of myself and become a "respected" artist!

Jaclyn asked permission because she knew what she was doing was wrong. We've all had 'colds' and hers was not debilitating enough to warrant special circumstances... I wonder what could have come from her if she had focused on the task at hand. Abdi's work was inspiring and although Miles leaves me exhausted with all his mechanic's in order to drip bleach, he is committed to the process and supportive to others.

I would love to have seen what would have happened if Jaclyn had used the photograph that she took after hours. Would it have made her piece any better? Would the judges have disqualified her? She has some serious talent but her insecurity continues to railroad her success.

What could be more natural... A Charcoal drawing wins the day, I am ecstatic! I am also disappointed that Peregrine did not get cut, her last two pieces were weak, if not out right failures, she is an artists but does not rank as one of the best from the original field of contestants. Miles work is cold, impersonal and barren and at times over thought or conceptualized, yet he did help Peregrine with his sincere suggestion to urbanize her entry, other wise I think it would have died on the gallery floor.

What could be more natural... A Charcoal drawing wins the day, I am ecstatic! I am also disappointed that Peregrine did not get cut, her last two pieces were weak, if not out right failures, she is an artists but does not rank as one of the best from the original field of contestants. Miles work is cold, impersonal and barren and at times over thought or conceptualized, yet he did help Peregrine with his sincere suggestion to urbanize her entry, other wise I think it would have died on the gallery floor.

I didn’t even know there was a blog for this program, but was compelled to express my feelings after last show and discovered this web site.

I am one of many who were deeply disappointed that Nicole was voted off….it appears the only reason (excuse) was her work was small! She always seemed to immediately have ideas and enthusiasm for creating based on whatever the described project. Peregrine hummed and hawed, not able to come up with anything and then and just threw something together….then she added the cartoonish cutouts to her work at the last minute based on Miles’ suggestion. Nicole’s work complied with the requirements of the theme and she put her whole heart into it. Peregrine just “tried to get by.” It was such a shock she was chosen to remain. No fair!

Miles continues to try and gain sympathy because he has OCD and is continually pathetic, but sneaky. It is nearly a joke how he slaps huge works together and then makes up a meaning to fit the theme. His piece of fungus was the nature part of his piece? Give me a break. I think he is just able to fool everyone with enormous, weird creations. Dripping the bleach was peculiar enough, but better than the mustard gas he wanted to make. Now, that was scary.

It was unfair for Jaclyn to try to go around the rules by adding to her project (I’m sure with another body photo). At least she asked the other artists if she could go around the rules, but it was obvious she was ticked that it was not agreed.

Of course, Abdi’s work was simply breathtaking and he well-deserved the kudos.

I really hope this program will continue with a new series of artists. I look forward to it every week. In fact, I can’t sleep well after the program, because I keep thinking about what I would do with the project in question. Thanks for an outstanding program.

Abdi was the clear winner in the nature episode. What a stunning piece of art. I loved how he created his body floating...very spiritual and a bit reminiscent of the shroud of Turin as well. It was an easy task to judge this one. No one else was in Abdi's league. Miles "bleach art" was terrible. The whole OCD/troubled artist thing got old ater the second show. Jaclyn is a good photographer....I think....but she was nothing without falling back on nudity. I guess that was good for ratings, but as fine art....probably not. She should give Heff a call. I think Nicole's piece was a strong second place this week. Totally organic and mysterious. Perrigrine had me until she brought in the sex cut-outs that looked like a grade schooler made them. This first season hasn't given us much fine art, but I still love the concept of the show. Judge Jerry gets on my nerves though with comments like "I got off on that"......gross. You guys gave Miles a free pass last week when you chose his work over Marks. You called Mark's self-portrait too literal and Miles's "hole in the wall" wasn't? Mark

As the season gets ready to end - I'd like to voice my appreciation for this show: Work of Art takes all suspense, intrigue, gossipy-fun of a reality show and transplants it into the world of Art. Somehow - it does so while maintaining a sense of seriousness, dignity and creibility befitting of the the subject matter. I think a big part of the success is the judges who take the show, their critiques, and the contestants very seriously, while maintaining a lightness about themselves. Love it! Can't wait for the finale.

Although there have been a couple misses, there is something undeniable about Abdi's work. Art is so ridiculously subjective but you know you're doing something right when you win favor from both the critic and the uninitiated. There are some things that just make sense and everyone gets it.

Thanks, Zee13! My sentiments, exactly! There was absolutely no dialogue between the fungus and the rest of that man-made, toxic piece. There was nothing remotely natural in any of Miles' work. He's a pretentious cretin, who hides behind his OCD, as though it gives him an excuse to behave horribly. The whole pouting artist routine gets old after five minutes, and that goes for little miss pouty Jaclyn, too. She and Miles both annoyed the stuffing out of me, especially when they told Erik he didn't belong in the competition. Miles reminded me of students who kept trying to talk their way around assignments; I always called them on their lack of attention to detail. As you rightly point out, these judges signally failed to call Miles on his refusal to do what they asked. We had a classmate a little like Miles in grad school. She was sleeping with my advisor, as well as with many of her First-year Composition students, while trading sex for grades. When some of us complained about her lack of ethics, the silly chairperson told us, "But she gets 100% evaluations...." I wanted to slap that chairperson. The rest of us taught at other schools, where the chairpeople realized evaluations are so subjective as to be essentially meaningless. The judges reminded me of that department chair.

I don't understand all this bitterness towards Miles. I find him to be extremely likable, sweet, smart, creative and talented. He gets overwhelmed. Why is that seen as melodramatic? As a fellow artist, I love how he brings it all together in the end. His work is quite elegant.

So, if we watch Survivor, are we somehow less? (Puzzled by the parenthetical declaration in Jeanne's post. {I don't watch Survivor either, by the way.})

I quite enjoy the essence of this program. I'm not sure it is measurably different from the function of any other reality program, other than the fact that the subject matter will interest art-minded people more. So I'm curious about the frequent declarations from commentators on the Bravo blog that profess Work of Art as the alternative to reality television. It is "Reality" Television.

Not to be the eternal pessimist, but I find the "crits" by the judges on this show to be spot-on and unshakable half of the time (after all, "good" eyes can tell "good" art), and the other half of the time the "crits" seem to encroach on the territory that has made the art world a cold-shouldered, unfriendly, and somewhat counter-productive hot spot. The subjectivity of art -- in all its many (anti)forms and (anti)functions -- is reduced, packed, and sold as a fact-based, quantifiable product via this television show. Nowhere is this dilemma addressed better than by the rating system BravoTV.com has put in place where viewers can rate works that have appeared on the program. The critical favorites sometimes lose heartily.

I suppose what I'm saying is: art is defined and judged by the miniature community of judges on this program. But actual art isn't "judged" that way at all. Actual art shouldn't really be "judged" should it? Actual art follows a complicated and ever-shifting process of receiving and understanding that ultimately determines if it succeeds or fails. It seems antithetical to compress and isolate that experience (such as on a TV show) and to bill it as anything else.

But Work of Art is a good reality TV show. I enjoy watching it.

If Abdi wanted to show a new birth as a artist he should have included something of what he was throwing off or leaving behind. Something falling from his body into the abyss below. And I agree that the frame was too much except if he wanted a frame, frame in the old and leave the top off so it looks like the "new" Abdi is rising to endless possibilities.

Woe is me, I'm overwhelmed. Grow up!! He's given us two butt cheeks, himself sleeping, a mess of an outdoor "sculpture", and amonia rian that my wife's kindergarten class does. Not impressed.

I don't think the reaction to Miles is only because of the (obviously) edited narrative of him as a manipulative con artist. The real problem is that Miles's work, and the judges reaction to it, represent exactly why no one cares about the art world. Instead of exploring visual and conceptual forms of communication, Miles simply produces the same empty and boring piece (with tiny modifications) every week, and then proceeds to BS his way through the crit. At art school we had one of these guys in every class. Most of them dropped out before graduation because the teachers and other students eventually realized that they were not doing the work out of some intellectual choice--they were doing it because they lacked the skill to do anything else. I have seen no evidence in his work of even a rudimentary understanding of composition, draftsmanship, painting, or color in general. It is for this reason that I'm irritated at his getting this far. Who cares if the guy is an ass? You can be an ass and be a great artist too. If there is a next season I hope that they include at least one actual artist or art instructor as permanent judges to make sure this kind of travesty doesn't happen again.

I think that Miles and Abdi absolutely should be in the finale. Peregrine should have been gone weeks ago. There was no way her piece this week was better than Jaclyn's as a finish stand alone work of art. Nicole's was also a stronger piece, though i feel she let her emotions keep her from fully explaining her work. I feel that the time restrains gave Miles and Marc the advantage as far as medium and the time it takes to create a finished work. Abdi and Jaclyn would seem to have the odds stacked against them the most as they are painters, however, Abdi is such a great artist that even when working quickly he puts out strong paintings (with the exception of the Chaos painting). His combination of painting and sculptural talent should earn him the top price. I think that he needs confidence in his concepts more than anything. I think that he wasn't truly delving into what he wants to say as an artist until his Baptism piece. The fact that he minored in religious studies and is shown constantly in prayer or reading the Bible makes me believe that he should be doing work about what he's comfortable with thematically. As with the music, or film industry, the art industry has biases against faith based art, but I feel that he would blossom as an artist creating work that he's passionate about. Miles though not as strong a draftsman as Abdi, has the benefit of either not caring about b.s.'ing the judges, or the conviction that whatever he says is important. I see no way Peregrine wins. her concepts haven't been as strong as Miles' and her art is not as strong as either Abdi's or Miles'. This should make for an interesting finale.

Art is enriching, therapeutic, passion involvement and this TV show for the first time is dedicated to ART. The poor and the rich can watch or participate in this competition. I need to find out how to participate. I have some talented artists friends with unknown and very new techniques(non-forgeable) that have never had an opportunitty for exposure. Please help.....Thank you