I love this show. The judges are top-notch. They work hard at giving each contestant encouragement while pushing them to go beyond their imaginations, and dig deep to find who they are and what it is they want to say or express in their art. I also have to give high points to the photography. every time there was an advertisement and the show came back on, there would be a film shot of a street or a building and it was always dark with only one color. I thought those shots were a work of art! And finally, I'm very happy to see that the judges picked the same artist that I thought won the last competition, Abdi. And for the same reasons. Not only was he a very skilled artists, as many were, but his work had heart. I thought that the figures on the floor looked like basketball players in mid air, and the floorboards leant to that illusion as well. I also liked the paintings that were so colorful. He's a beautiful human being and I'm so happy for him. PLEASE bring this show back for another season. You have a fan.

I watched this show for the first time today so I may have caught a few bad episodes, but as an artist and art history student, I found the show boring and dissatisfying. Every one of these pieces of so-called art looked like something from an elementary school art class and I found the "participants" and the judges to be quite pretentious. I openly laughed at some of their "criticisms". It is amazing what your judges will go through to try and convince viewers that these pieces deserve to be called art. At best they are a cross between commercial art and arts and crafts, they have no resemblance to fine art whatsoever.

The worst challenge I saw was the one about the Audi dealership. I wasn't quite sure what they were supposed to be conveying in this episode. Was it supposed to be an ad one identifies with when riding in an Audi or was it how they felt driving through the city of NY no matter what car they were riding in? Either way, none of the pieces created were successful in achieving either one of those goals.

No matter what, when art is being created within limitations to satisfy some arbitrary entity it is no longer totally the inspiration of the artist. Even Michelangelo was given more creative freedom and most artists are only truly satisfied when they please themselves. Like Van Gogh and Pollock, they know when they have created something new and exciting even though the powers that be in the art world are unable to recognize or appreciate it.

In my opinion, this show cheapens real art by turning out this generic rubbish that only satisfies the unsophisticated reality show viewers amongst us. It is no wonder that there are no Da Vincis, Van Goghs, or Jackson Pollocks in the world today.

I'm absolutely thrilled with this show!
Introducing a little culture to an art-starving American public is a fabulous idea, even if it is just in this format with room for improvement. We are saturated with bad TV entertainment in our society. Must people I meet have no idea what art is! I applaud all the participants, I personally love love love Miles, Abdi and Nicole and Mr. Simon de Pury you, Sir, are just perfect as a Mentor and a real cool gentleman. Congrats "Work of Art" you rock, please continue bringing more shows like this.

I think you have a flaw in your scoring system. Your current system rewards only the artist in the middle of the road who survive.

I think you should retain the elimination part but also go to a point system, the winner being the one with the most points not the one who survives. The way you have it now you don’t reward the artist with the best art. You just have survivors who are trying to stay safe. Simon de Pury comes in to the studio to urge them on and knock their socks off but the artists can’t afford to go outside the lines.

Maybe it's just my own process and many would disagree with me, but when I'm engaged with the energy that brings forth art, the "yes" or "no" of who may or may not be "moved" by it ideally doesn't cross my mind. If it did I would have to wonder if I was indeed engaged with making art. I wonder in what panic driven way I myself might buckle or flourish under these circumstances. The art critic, the gallerist and the gallery owner kinda make me cringe watching the subtext of their process unfold. Their mental process is the layer on top of every idea created on the show. Sadly this can be the same in real life if one is not vigilant. Ah, context! Anyway, watching Simone and the way he is moved by art is lovely. The artists are doing a great job of playing this game show. I hope this experiment in orchestrated reality educates many, does not give blossoming artists the wrong idea about the essence of art and elevates more lives than it could potentially destroy. Peace.

I just read all of the blogs (backwards, as that's the way they're listed) and I wanted to say that Simon is the best person to blog on the show. Not only because he's a part of the show and knows what's going on behind the scenes as well as on screen, but also because he's very unbiased and down-to-earth. He shows clear respect for each of the artists in his posts, and never lets an artist's actions or character interfere with his judgment of their work. While other bloggers will say, "Omg, Miles is such a douche, he should have gotten the boot this week!" Simon presents his opinions based on the artists' skills. This is after all a competition on the best work of art, not "who's the lesser jerk?". I really enjoyed these sincere and respectful posts. Keep up the posting Simon! I'd like hearing what the mentor thinks of his contestants!

I just want to say, that I absolutely love this show. It's just so awesome to see everyone's work and perspective, and how they all work and think of all the ideas they have.

I'm just a starting artist myself in high school,
amateur as it is truthfully pronounced. But I really love art and I love that it's all just a big open world to show people who you are and what you see. This show shows, that there are people out there with an abundance of thought and creativity that can show what is going on in the world in their head.

It's just a really awesome show and I'll keep watching ^^

P.S.- GO MILES!!!!!

I adore this show. Is it Art with a capital "A"? Who cares. For a first season it's fun. With other shows like this the audience becomes educated on a topic like singing, dancing, clothing design, etc. As the audience becomes better informed and more familiar with the Art world I feel that in seasons to come the artists trying out for this type of show will be of a higher caliber, and the audience will expect more and better work. A win/win for all of us.

This type of reality show makes something that seems to be for the inside elite accessible to everyone - no matter where we live. I hope this show translated to more people visiting museums and art galleries where they live. Or hey, be brave - have a show in a community that is new to the idea.

Wow - cool to know you dig music too. I love Oasis.
I used to chase the ghosts of New York's art scene
whilst living there. Rad show.

charles

I, along with a previous commenter, am so glad to see a show on bravo that doesn't involve cooking! The people on this challenge seem like the "realest" people we've seen on a "reality" show yet. Anyhoo, I do have some qualms. I am disappointed that there seems to have been a bias toward choosing mostly representational artists. And it seems as if some of the artists were chosen more for their awards and resumes than for their actual work. I enjoy the fact that we get to be kind of along side the artists while they are working and not just while they are having a fit or sabotaging each other, like on the cooking shows. I hate to single anyone out for their behavior, but Miles, I know you have OCD, but that doesn't entitle you to randomly rip another contestant to shreds in a critique, when that is clearly not the protocol. Someone should reign in some of your immature behavior, like exposing everyone to toxic chemicals (you should have provided some masks for the people closest to you or in case someone had asthma). Also, I don't mean to sound harsh, but you should consult with a doctor and maybe up some of your meds so that the challenges don't cause you so much stress. I hope that you are not going to use the illness card when being critiqued. And that's coming from an artist who has several serious illnesses that hinder me too. You just have to be careful. You have to be considerate to your other contestants, as they should to you. To Nao....you need to focus on your own work, which to be quite frank, isn't that great, instead of trying to throw everyone else off by constantly critiquing their stuff....and not in a constructive way. Anyway, I look forward to the future episodes, and wish I were involved! I always hear about these things after it's too late to compete! Good luck to everyone! Oh yeah, except the ones I hate...just kiddin'

First of all, I love the show. During the introduction of Simon de Pury, I felt as if he was going to be some snobby art prude. I was never so happy to be so wrong. He has definitely made my list of people I would like to meet. During his introduction, there are shots of him in his office. Amazing pieces cover the room, but the thing that stood out the most for me were the Godzilla action figures on and around his desk. You, sir, are a very cool cat!

Miles was clearly the winner. The rules only stated that one object from the junk piles had to be used in their sculpture. I believe that he used the piece/pieces in his bed...the electonics/junk that he didn't use he hid under the bed. Genius -- his work was about sleep...his issue with sleep...literally putting himself into his piece! Miles does need to hold back his opinion. He is not one of the judges! I was confused about Trong being eliminated. I found his pieces/concept more interesting than Judith or Jaime Lynn's. I'd love to know the application deadline for the next season.

The idea of the show was good..its disapointing because,
I feel that Simons attraction to Miles is getting in the way, in the so called art world, this is not new. Miles is trying to be like..Andy Warhola? Its so obvious...referential art. nothing new there. All the attention is on this little love connection, TV needs drama, Bravo loves the drama. We shall see if Simon and Miles go off to the Olive Garden together, like Andre and Tim, of Project Runway. Who knows maybe they will have a "tiff", we can only hope. What dose Simon see in Miles? lol. Simon has the connections to sell his things? Dose Miles know this? of couse he dose, and will he take advantage of this oppertunity to further himself to buy beer and art supplies. Miles is a "con artist." I was hoping for a better show, one with out the "Simon and Miles" thing. Maybe season 2 will be without "Simon and Miles."

In the 2nd episode miles won for best sculpture. where was the junk he was supposed, to be making his sculpture out of. all a person saw was a orange/red circle shape, two concrete shapes and make shift bed, that he laid on top of.

Love the show! But, I have a question about the second episode. Don't get me wrong, I think Miles is an amazing artist. Being a left handed, right brained artist with O.C.D., A.D.D. and dyslexia myself, I can certainly understand a person that thinks outside the box. In fact I'm sure he's a bit like me and hasn't ever even seen the box....But,..what-ever.
Did I miss something? Was it not part of the challenge to actually use at least one piece of junk in the art piece itself? I guess I'll have to re-watch the show to see if I missed something. While everyone else was using their initial thirty minutes souring the junk piles. Miles was already practicing his sleeping technique for his performance at the gallery show. Rules should be rules. And no matter how talented Miles is. He should keep his opinions to himself on the other artists pieces during the judging process, unless asked a specific question by the judges. It wouldn't hurt him to learn a bit of humility along the way. I'm just saying.........

This is the most disgusting, disrespectful crucifixion of contemporary art that I have ever seen.
Every person involved in the production of this show should present a public apology.

The concept and execution of this show completely disgraces every single facet of artistic expression. How dare you create a show which so flagrantly compromises the very meaning of artistic integrity for the sole purpose of adding another reality-elimination trash show to TV. I am completely disgusted- I am embarrassed to be an artist and to be part of the American art world.

This show has insulted every artist, creative mind, art-admirer, craftsman, recognized or unrecognized, that has ever picked up a tool to express themselves.

The critique was completely obnoxious. With every word "THE JUDGES" not only defaced every thought behind Abstraction, Dadaism, Surrealism, Bauhaus, Expressionism, Minimalism and every other movement since 1900 (except the notorious POP and maaaayybe Art Nouveau), but also cheapened the value of "FINE art" before 1900---Not to mention, completely disregarded folk, tribal, outsider and ancient cultural art.

Ugh.

GOOD LUCK WITH THIS ONE BRAVO-- hope THE BROOKLYN ART MUSEUM gets a big check.

i have for a very long time wanted to have a show for visual artists and im so excited for "work of art". It was about time someone came up to show our talent and give opportunity to visual artits. I cant wait for the next episode, thank you Sarah Jessica Parker and all the judges.

You sir are a joke!

I hope that if the series continues they will also consider offering the opportunity to artists in more cities, maybe Seattle?

What most impressed me were the judges. I think they were fair and they made the right call on sending Amanda home. Any 1st year art-student could come up with white leaves on a blue background. Nao could have gone, too. That piece was just indescribable. I am definitely hooked for episode 2.

I just learned about this show about 5 mins ago. Will be sure to wacth the show. I,am glad to see a show like this come on TV.

I thought the first show was great. I think the portrait session was a great introduction. They say you form you opinion of someone in the first 10 seconds of meeting them. They had enough time to give it thought, but not to taint them into over thinking their subject. I was disappointed with a few of the works. Amanda's work was just sad. The portrait of Trong was bad. I saw no creativity there, he just copied the original portrait. That, I thought, was a vote off offense. No originality... He should have went up on the elimination block before the "self-taught" artist. As an artist, I am so excited about this show and hope that like other reality shows this one has more than one season.

I am simply overjoyed that Work of Art is finally here. The first episode was thrilling. My only regret is that when casting, the calls and opportunity were limited only to the major arteries of art, namely big cities. I wish the show would devise a way to make it possible for the rest of us to participate at least in an audition. Other than that I'm thrilled with Work of Art. RB McGrath http://www.rbmcgrathfineart.com

Loved the show. I can't draw stick figures but I adore art and am a modest collector. I loved listening to your comments as you visited each artist. It's a rare privilege to watch the creative process and I thank you and Sara Jessica Parker (and Bravo, of course) for the opportunity. My only criticism is the introduction of the portrait challenge so early in the show. I thought it premature when the artists have really only just met each other. Perhaps if it had occured later in the season, we would have been given some insight into not just the artist's personality and their opinion of the subject, but a visual representation of the relationship as well.

Very excited about the season, though!

jasper d. i do feel beauty is in the eye of the beholder....to a degree. contrary to what most think, there are rules to art, and of course half the fun is breaking them but you still have to be conscious of those around you, the other people who are going to participate in your work.

in this case there were preset rules and some chose to break them without thinking of the viewers. i think if nao would have put her tiny photo of miles in the forefront among her...lines and...dots....it would have made all the difference in the world. god is in the details.

i was extremely skeptical of this show at first, expecting fly by night artists, but i was surprised that there is some substance! i look foreword to this season.

enjoyed the show but if goal is to find the next great "work of art" then dissapointed by early departure of the one artist with the most varied background in group. would like to see more from her. Amanda deserves another shot.

I found the show really interesting, but I do believe art is in the eye of the beholder as they say... each one of us see something different and that's the beauty of it. In my opinion I think Amanda should have had another shot at it. But I'm sure they will keep the very rude woman in for show ratings. Love the show and thanks for having another art form rather than cooking.

Hmm. As I said on another blog, the artists are quite good. The problem is the judges, who are too conservative, simply market-oriented, and too narrow-minded. For instance, abstraction is a viable alternative for a self-portrait or any other content. Motherwell's Elegy to the Spanish Republic was not literally readable, and it would not have communicated its literal content to the viewer without the title and verbal supplements, but it is a great work of art. Sigh. I guess I had hoped for more from the judges.

I enjoyed the show I am a artist with many years of experience. Y our show is exciting. I would love to be on it.

thank you kim kobrin

The problem with a show like this is that the art will inevitably tend towards being commercial art and therefore more 'acceptable' to a lay audience. Mark and Abdi are good commercial type artists for example, but their art is not new. I am not sure that a real 'ground breaking' artist cam be found this way, although I am glad Miles was singled out. He has real potential as he is really searching- don't know how that will translate on TV. Again a TV show is all about selling TV ads, so that is without a doubt why you chose to feature Andres Serrano next week to drum up controversy. BTW he is not an artist either, but he is a good showman.

Loved the first show and only Wish I could have been part of this show. I'm also self taught so I understand how challenging it can be but an advantage as well. Unspoiled and untouched, but willing to experiment to find your own voice and not duplicate what you see. I hope the self taught artist steps it up, to give other self taught artists a voice we can be proud of ~ I felt Abdi's work was the best and Miles second. Check out my work Google: Poetry On Canvas Pleasanton when you have a chance and keep me in mind for your next season :)

Reginald, when you speak of the rude one, do you mean the articulate and out of the box thinker, Nao?

Watched the show for the first time, and I must admit that I was most impressed with what Simon had to say. His critiques were right on and above all, fair. How interesting it would be to have an honest opinion like his of something I painted. I do think they made the right choice in sending Amanda home. There's no way I would come out of the box on a show like this with a weak interpretation...the other two could have just as easily left, especially the rude one. I think they will keep her around a few weeks to knock her down a bit, and give the show an edge. I'll definitely keep watching...