Other opinions are “Out There”

Last week I met a few deadlines. That, in itself, is cause for celebration. That they were art deadlines was even more significant.

2016 was not a great year for my art; I was deadline with a lot and didn’t paint as much as other years, but also I didn’t do shows or submit to many venues. This was my choice, but it had a tendency to make me feel a lot of rejection pressure.

This year I wanted to “get out there” more. I have joined a local critique group through WSO as well as a local art group (Artists in Action aka. AIA.) I haven’t yet signed up for any shows to sell my art, but I am eyeing at least one local show and I just finished (and sold!) a project for the Cherry Blossom Parasol Event.

Lately I’ve done really nice work that I have really liked, but for one reason or another hasn’t been accepted into my staple entry, WSO shows. I’m no longer in Portland, so the Oregon Society of Artists is no longer an option, and no other local shows have been right for the pieces.

I took a big risk over the winter and joined the Northwest Watercolor Society (NWWS) so I could enter their spring open show and their fall members show. I was not terribly surprised when I did not get into the spring show; because it is an open show with a good amount of prize money the competition is international and fierce.

In one of my favorite blog posts (Rejected Again, Hooray!), local artist and friend Ruth Armitage talks about the inevitability of rejection and why it can be an opportunity to move on with more information. Obviously, this advice is easier said than done, but it’s good advice.

So when the American Academy of Equine Artists announced a (first time) Spring Online Show, I vowed to submit Strategy Session and Chasing Dark.

Strategy Session

 

Chasing Dark

When the Emerald Art Center announced its Emerald Spring Exhibition 2017 – National Juried Show, I decided to enter Scent of Season and Learning the Ropes.

Scent of Season
Learning the Ropes

And though it’s probably the most extreme long shot, I decided to enter The Turn and Night Racing into the 2017 Artworks Northwest call by Umpqua Valley Arts Association.

The Turn
Night Racing

 

I’ll feel very lucky if I get into any of these shows. I feel ambivalent about my chances, but I’ve been wanting to update about my progress, so now this information is “out there”. Wish me luck.

 

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