I am disappointed (*@#%!!) that none of my four entries to the current exhibit at Northwind Arts Center were accepted. I will probably never know why, and it is a pity that none appealed to the jurors, who run a very nice art gallery here in town: the Simon Mace Gallery. I am sorry/disappointed that they did not like my work.
I entered three new assembly/sculptural pieces. These, while not exactly momentous, please me. I though/still think they have merit. But maybe they are a little to “crafty”, and read more as assemblage than sculpture, although I make most of my “parts” myself. I don’t think the Simon Mace Gallery every shows assemblage work, nor do they tend toward small works in general.
My other piece was again “pieced”, with collage elements, although all original work, not found imagery. It is a small work, that is best enjoyed close up. But I love it, and am especially disappointed that it was rejected. Aaargh!
It is hard to dismiss the disappointment, but … thank goodness it is: 1) sunny today, 2) am just back from a wonderful 3 day camping trip, and 3) I just got a little present in mail. So I can just get over this silly disappointment and move on (I hope)!
They All Came
On Monday I received a wonderful, unsolicited comment / compliment from a fellow artist, about this work, when I left it at Northwind Arts Center for juror review:
“that is a very powerful piece”
I couldn’t ask for a better compliment: so sincere, and so satisfying! I am happy!
I certainly hope the juror agrees! If so, this will be on exhibit in March in the show “Earth Matters”.
While considering entering a new juried show, I reviewed paintings by the show juror, Michael Paul Miller. His oil paintings are stunning: his subjects are attention getting and his technique is exquisite. All his work shown at Saatchi online is gorgeous & very impressive. The work is described as post-modern realism, dark and often depicting an environmental apocalypse.
I was much intimidated! But I sent the link to a friend, along with the show statement and 3 works I am considering submitting (advice solicited re: frames). This was her response:
The juror’s work does not intrigue me at all. It is so obviously and literally and constantly dark. But I think he would learn from your work. Your work is not propaganda from either the light or the dark side.
Wow, what a compliment! My work does not have the meticulous technique (and never will). But perhaps I don’t need to be intimidated by that fact. Although I am guessing that Miller’s gorgeous paint work, with a clear and assertive message & subject matterwork, will always appeal to more people than my ambiguous messages, my work does allows the viewer room to create an individual interpretation and response.
It is so not easy! I certainly prefer to think that my doubts, agonizing, reworks and difficulties make my art better. And that the end result is worth something to others, not just to me. Self-doubt hovers in the wings every step of the way, and I waver between triumphant satisfaction and complete confusion: do I “waste” my time? Well, no I do please myself, but I want a bit more than that! Click on the image to view all three possible entries for this next juried show.
January 2nd I got a call from Donna, at Jim’s Barber Shop (Polk & Water, downtown P.T. across from Quimper Mercantile). I left a card & request to hang artwork there after being told that they were ready for new art on the walls (local artists display for 2-3 months at a time, and there is no commission on any sales that may develop from the exhibit).
So I have a show! This is a nice brightly lit location with a fair sized wall for art, plus space above the barber chairs and elsewhere. I have a good collection up, but still need to create a list with prices…
The exhibit includes a selection of work from the past four years, with two very new pieces. Several works have never been previously displayed (outside my studio).
Hanging the show has been a lot of fun, with appreciation & questions from customers and from Donna, the manager & one of three barber stylists working here.
I wonder how many artists in the local area who have submitted artwork rejected by the juror for Collective Visions Gallery’s 2014 annual show? Since many works get rejected, and most artists submit several works, there must be a good many rejected artworks in the neighborhood.
Enough for a Salon des Refuses? Certainly! And if there are too many, we would give priority to works by artists with all entries refused 🙂
But how to reach the artists? Advertise?
Where can we hold the show? Port Townsend or Bremerton? Hmmm, that is easy if I am to organize it: Port Townsend of course!
Let’s be thinking about this!
See these and more in this series on Facebook.
Two of my art pieces have been accepted in the December juried exhibit at Northwind Arts Center. This show opens Friday, December 6 at noon, and the Opening Reception is during Port Townsend Art Walk on December 7 – 5:30 to 8 pm. Juror Michael McCollum gives an Art Talk on December 15 at 1 pm.
I am on Susie’s list for art on the walls at 1012 Coffee Bar in July. I have lots of new work ready to hang; work that has not been displayed in town. But how to choose? I want to have professional looking “show”, with works that look good together and in this narrow display space. I would also like to price the work suitably, and choose some work that might actually sell (so probably something fairly affordable). Of course I don’t want to under price work that I would just as soon keep to hang at home, or might hope to show off in a gallery somewhere.
I could frame and show some digital prints as well as original works, and price them accordingly. But P.T. art customers probably don’t buy framed copies much, when there is a lot of affordable original work around. I should probably give up on the idea of sales. The odds are that nothing will sell, and that would certainly simplify things!
But I still don’t know what to show!
I think I need help!
