Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Juried Art Show

Thought I would give you an update on the Juried Art Show that I entered. Each artist could enter up to three works for an entry fee and at least one work would be in the show. I selected three of my works and talked my husband into entering three of his paintings. The artist's reception and awards ceremony was last night. We knew we had not won anything but wanted to see how many of our works were in the show and who won so we went to the reception.

It was open to media of all kinds and all kinds were represented. There were oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, etchings, photographs, graphite (mine were the only graphite works), sculpture of all materials, mixed media, cloth (textile), and digital. There were wonderful landscapes, seascapes, lots of animal work, florals, still lifes, etc.

Some of the work just blew me away with the talent it represented, much of the work I just couldn't relate to as it was abstract. There was a wonderful landscape that looked like you could just walk into it and a still life of fruit that had grapes with moisture on them that looked like you could pluck the fruit from the canvas.

Anyway two of my works were hung; the double portrait of my husband and son entitled "A Good Time" that I marked NFS, and the work of the wheelbarrow and pitchfork entitled "Ready To Work" that I did place a price on. My husband had one of his paintings hung that was entitled "Nightfall."

It was time for the announcements and all artists gathered around. The gentleman making the announcement spoke of the juror and her work as a local artist. Her name was Tracy Marshall and I had previously checked out her website. He said she had two criterion for judging. 1. New, fresh ideas and an original way of creating art. and 2. Technique. There was 4 money prizes and 8 honorable mentions. All honorable mentions except for two were abstract works of art. The third place winner was an abstract wooden sculpture with nails sticking out everywhere. There was a cane bottom chair in the center with a broken jagged piece of wood pushed through the seat. The second place winner was a piece of pottery and that was a nice piece of pottery. The first place winner was an abstract painting and the Best in Show was a gourd sculpture painted with gauche. I have to admit that I just do not understand abstract, modern art even though I have taken a college course in it. The works that blew me away with their talent did not even receive honorable mentions.

After hearing the criteria and having previously checked out her website it went pretty much the way I thought it would go. If anyone cares to look this is her website: http://www.tjmartisticdesigns.com/index.html. I believe my husband was initially disappointed but I pointed out to him the work that was selling was not the work selected for the awards but the other, more representational, realistic work.

Anyway they said they had the most entries this year that they had ever had with over 100 works entered and approximately 70 works were hung in the show. (Iwas pleased with where my two works were hung, right above the visitors sign-in book). Also, the announcer said that in his eyes everyone entered was a winner because it takes a certain amount of courage to put your work on the line and have it judged.

I learned a couple of things from this experience. A lot depends on the juror and the type of art that appeals to them so I did not take it personally that I did not receive anything. A different juror would probably have different award winners. Also now that I have entered one I will enter more. All exposure is good exposure. Later last night I asked my husband if he would enter more shows and he said probably.

It was a fun, learning experience and our work will be on view for the entire month. Who knows what may come of that!

10 comments:

Laure Ferlita said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!! To have two out of three pieces in a show with over 100 submissions is excellent! And you hit the nail on the head - it comes down to a judge's opinion and preference for work. Kudos on an outstanding attitude and looking forward to hearing about your "next show"!!!

artbykarieann said...

Hi Lori, Well done to you and your husband for giving it a go, it is a nervous time and can break some artists before they have even began. As for winning art, it really is as you say, in the eye of the beholder, it really is a matter of personal choice, you like some art, some you don't like and any judge will feel the same, how can you remain impartial when judging art!

Teri said...

Congratulations!!! You can be very proud!

ArtistUnplugged said...

Wow, good for you! I enjoyed reading your perspective on the pieces in the show. I too struggle with abstract and modern art and there is alot of it around. You should be very proud of yourself and your husband too!

Jan said...

Lori, I so admire your spunk for even entering! I just hate having to put myself "out there" and often take the coward's way and just don't enter anything!

As for your description of the show - it occurs to me that it's similar to the fashion industry. The designers show all these outlandish fashions at the big fashion shows but you don't see their designs on the street!

I cannot come to grips with abstract either. I can admire the pretty colors (if they have any) but mostly they bore me as there's no connection emotionally for me.

Anyway, you keep going, girl! I hope you and your DH both sell what you brought to sell!

Jenna White said...

I know what you mean, I don't get abstract art either. When I entered our local show last year, the first place winner was an abstract. It really does all depend on what the juror likes.
Congratulations on having 2 pieces hanging, and congratulations to your husband as well! :)

twincedar said...

Thanks everyone for all of your kind comments. I believe it was a good experience. I'm glad I'm not the only one to feel that way about abstract art.

Unknown said...

Hi Lori.
Congratulations. It must be a very nerve racking ordeal to enter. You and your husband are to be commended. and I do hope you have a sale during the month. I don't understand abstract either and I don't think I ever will.

Well done to both your and your husband.
Hugs
Dors.

Barefoot Nana said...

Hi Lori, thanks for your comment on my little Jasper. Going to be a very busy week or two so I hope I can get to finish him soon.

Robin said...

I like good abstract work.

It sounds like this was a good experience for you both. Everyone who enters shows regularly knows there's an element of a crap shoot. I've heard ppl enter a piece one year that got rejected and enter the same piece the next year when there was a different juror and get an award!

So keep it up!!