A Human's Opinion

"One star," Thalia noted down. "If I could give it zero, I would."

The young girl in front of her crumpled as her friend offered a reassuring hug. They walked away feeling completely defeated. One star? Maria had spent days, weeks even, working on that painting. It was one of her finest works, she believed. Did that mean she thought she deserved five starts? Of course not, but one star? Disgraceful.

"Come on Maria, don't give up! That was a beautiful-" Susie began.

"Thanks, but she was right. I can't call myself an artist after that." Maria kicked a pebble across the school courtyard. "Ms. Thalia is one of the most famous critics around. People never get second chances with her. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I blew it!"

Susie rolled her eyes, "You've never given up so easily before."

"That's because I've never had Thalia critique my work before. Her reviews can determine whether or not I'll have a future in art." She threw down her papers and sighed.

Thalia stayed still, listening from behind the school's doors. She didn't often go to high schools- to children. They were young and not yet ready to be so harshly critiqued. In her thirty years of experience, she had given out many one stars. Not because she thought herself to be so great or that the other's art to be not so great, but because she remained honest and fair. No one received special treatment. Her views would not be changed because of a single girl's disappointment in a one-star review. She tucked a strand of gray hair behind her ear and walked away.

"Maria! Mariaaaa!" A week later, Susie burst into her room early in the morning.

Her friend was not pleased, "It's too early for this Sus." She pushed the girl away, still half asleep.

"No, no, no, you don't understand! Thalia Levin is hosting an art showcase. She's invited everyone who participated in the contest last week to present their art. No reviews will be shown, so no one else will know you got one star." The girl bounced on the bed, attempting to drag her friend out. "Don't you see? This is your second chance."

Maria shot up, grabbing the piece of paper that dangled in front of her face. "She's never done this before."

For a moment, she let relief wash over her, but it soon passed.

"What's the point? I've already failed." She slumped back down and pulled the covers over her head. "She's not going to see it and suddenly decide to change her mind on a painting that she's already viewed."

"You have one hour to get ready," Susie urged.

Maria shot up once again. "Why didn't you tell me about this earlier? How is that enough time to make it?"

Susie shrugged, "People will be looking at the art, not us."

Mumbling to herself, Maria rushed around the room, gathering what she would need. Much to her surprise they made it, barely, but they did. As soon as she stood before the city's museum, where they rented a space for the showcase, she'd realized what she had done. She had come, and for what? To be humiliated?

She took a deep breath and strode to the counter behind the other artists, waiting to check in. Finding her spot and setting everything up felt like an eternity. Her mom and dad waved as they walked in. Maria decided to walk around, looking at other's art, hoping that no one would make the connection between her and her own art piece. There were paintings of all kinds-- pottery, photographs, and then she came back to her own. It didn't stand out much compared to everyone else's pieces of art, but she couldn't bring herself to hate it. She'd worked hard on that painting.

The lights dimmed as Thalia made her way to the stage. She stood tall, walked with confidence, and even gave the crowd a polite smile.

"Thank you everyone for coming today," She began. She got louder as her voice steadied, "Most of you know that I've never attempted something like this. You might be wondering why, and I'm not quite sure myself as to what the reason may be. I can tell you however, that it came to my attention that sometimes art needs to be looked at without any critiquing eye. Art should be admired, no matter the artist, no matter the medium or style, no matter what my opinion may be."

She paused for a moment and spotted Maria standing in the crowd. "It is well known that many here believe what I have to say matters. That my opinion may very well change the course of your future as artists."

The crowd whispered amongst themselves. Maria and Susie glanced at each other, not knowing where this was heading.

Thalia straightened her shoulders and chuckled. "You believe that if I gave you a single bad review, that your entire future has been washed away? Incredible! To think of yourselves in such a lowly manner. Inconceivable! How utterly ridiculous. One bad review will definitely change your life, but only if you let it." She stopped, glancing over the crowd. "I'm just a human, as you all are, I believe. Just because my name is known, does not mean that yours never will be."

She walked gracefully down from the platform and stepped directly amidst the crowd. "I dare you- I dare every single one of you who received an unfavorable review to change my mind. I challenge you today to not give up because of a single critique made by another human being."

Maria found herself face to face with the art critic. "My opinion does not change your passion or diligence. I may have your future in my hands... until you decide to take it. Are you brave enough to steal it back?"

Maria stood wide-eyed as the renowned artist walked away from her, not giving her a second glance. She reeled, attempting to absorb every single word she'd just heard, but she stopped. Thalia's credibility did not change her love of painting, nor would it ever stop her from creating. She would try harder, become better, and even greater than Ms. Thalia Levin.

"Susie."

"Yeah?"

"I thought you said no one would be looking at us."

Thalia smirked. "And so, I'll leave you all with this: A person's opinion cannot change the effort put into a work. Their critique only becomes detrimental to your future when you begin to doubt yourself and what you've created. Why should what they think matter? Don't let it get to you. They're just a human with a different opinion."