Gathering an audience should not be frowned upon as if it is some kind of crime. That goal makes many a better artist in the long run. Lord knows that I've strived to do better works than when I first started because of that.

There is equally nothing wrong with doing artwork just for the fun of it and saying the heck with the audience and/or views, but one has to decide which side of the fence they want to stand on.

Whatever kind of art you do, the key to finding an audience is to learn what the link is between you, your artwork, and that audience. It's not to change to whatever is popular. You won't be happy and your potential audience will see that. Ever see a work that has such passion behind it, but even if it's not technically wonderful, it still touchs you? That is because the artist has learned to tap into the human experience on some level. By finding that link, you can enjoy your work and so can that audience.

For me, I enjoy light hearted escape type pictures. Judging from the audience, I think people do too. There is enough pain and suffering in this world and often in our own backyards that people need a pick me up, and I truly enjoy if my artwork gives them that, in fact if it does not, and I can usually tell, I feel that the image failed in that goal. The portraits I do because people have favorite celebrities that they love and to give them an artist's vision of that celebrity is also quite enjoyable (as well as the challenge of getting the likeness right).

So if you do worry about views/comments/etc, there is nothing wrong with that, but consider how you want to build up your audience and work toward finding that compromise, while still keeping your integrity and your enjoyment.

As to comments, I like the "Nice Render" type ones. Maybe that's shallow, maybe it's not. After a long render or painting, it's good to hear that people like it. I think such comments are as important as the "helpful" ones.

To me, critique should be done privately if it's based on opinion rather than fact. Saying a picture could use a background is a fact. Saying that you think the background could use more light is opinion. Such calls may not match the artist's vision, but by posting it publicly you've now doomed that picture by pointing people to the perceived flaw which may not even be one...I had a person once say that he thought one of my portraits had pointy ears. I bet everyone then looked to see if they were. Later on, he said he saw the real actress and she had ears that were slightly pointy like the portrait. See what I mean? It's also very frustrating if you comment, but don't give any indication as to how to fix the problem you are pointing out. Some people, just don't know how to do some things. I had a picture that needed more ripples in the water. I knew it did, but I honestly hadn't figured out how to do them...so I put it up anyway...

Also keep in mind that it's not all about learning and getting better. Sometimes it's about escape, forgetting pain, or just relaxing. Not every image's goal is to be a masterpiece...I know, if they don't want comments, don't check the mark. Well like I said, some people just need someone to say, "Good job..." Is that so terrible?

Sorry for the dissertation, but this has been brewing up in me for awhile...