| Author |
Message |
 
tachee
| | Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 10:03 am: |  |
is it true I gotta enter competitions if I wanna write a book?
no. only if you want to sell the book. |
Linda
| | Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 9:52 am: | |
Help!
Dale says: "if your goal is to write books and teach workshops, then it's important to be seen in shows and get the name recognition."
Is it true I gotta enter competitions (which I dislike because I have been both an entrant and a juror and it seems like hullaballooey for any self-respecting transparent watercolorist) if I wanna write a book? |
andy
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 1, 2004 - 9:43 am: | |
I entered my state wc society show for several years, got my signature status, and then took a break for a bit. I have a painting in the members show this next month.
I was terribly dissappointed and took it personally when my first entry didn't get in. Then I realized its a numbers game- some you get in and some you dont. They have helped to build my resume as I don't have a fine art degree. I find that, for me personally, I need motivation to start a new painting - and it is usually a show or deadline, etc. that I have to meet. They help to keep me focused- otherwise I just do something else like mowing the grass! There has been some perks too- one wc show in Houston, I got honorable mention and won a $900 easel. |
Sid
| | Posted on Friday, August 27, 2004 - 6:26 pm: | |
Mary Lou:
Right under the box where you write your message you will
find a box labeled Username. Just write MaryLou in that
box and your name will appear at the top of your message. |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Friday, August 27, 2004 - 8:33 am: | |
Hey Kukana- did you know there are lots of places you can send your finished quilt top and have it assembled and machine quilted?
I am off right now to enter 2 pictures in the local show - this time of year they need all they can get, four months from now "season" happens and they will be swamped with entries.
It never seems to work when I try to get an identity with Cheap Joe's, so still anonymous - but I am Mary Lou. Nice meeting everyone through this board. |
Dale
| | Posted on Thursday, August 26, 2004 - 6:59 pm: | |
Friends, in conclusion-- After reading all your
comments and advice, I've decided to continue
entering the local shows and other shows that are
near and can be hand delivered. I think people buy
my work because they like it, not because I'm a
signature member or have won prizes.
But there are those art snobs who buy names
rather than art. If these buyers are your target,
go after the shows and the prizes. These folks are
important too-- especially if you are a starving
artist like most of us. But, this above all, to
thine ownself be true! It has been fun. |
Kukana
| | Posted on Thursday, August 26, 2004 - 5:40 pm: | |
PS Anonymous.. I am a quilter too! I am actually just a piecer...Im a piecing fanatic.. I never get the quilt bound and finished but I am fasinated by the geometry of the piecing process and it is my favorite hobby and diversion from painting... which is my job! (I just finished a mariners compass and right now I am doing an Irish Chain.) |
Kukana
| | Posted on Thursday, August 26, 2004 - 5:36 pm: | |
I think you have a good point Anonymous, What would happenif someone like Stephen Quiller or Don Andrews entered a show and didn't win against some lowly slug like me. Then again , the judge might just be so star struck as to award him the prize based on his name alone.
The art leagues and shows are fun. They do serve a wonderful social service and the opportunity to visit with other artist. I have nothing against them. In fact, I am a member of my local W/C society here too but I simply pick and choose what aspects of it fulfil my needs. I love the monthly meetings and demos. I love the friendships I have made. I love to go to the workshops. I have been the guest speaker/demonstrator at several Florida W/C society meetings as well . I just don't do the competitive show thingy!
Im glad you have fun doing them. The art leagues and associations are setup to fulfil the needs of their members. The competitions are one of them. I was not trying to talk anyone out of doing them... I hope you all got that. I was just sharing my persective and Why I avoid them! |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Thursday, August 26, 2004 - 8:39 am: | |
I, too, live in Florida and belong to my local Art League. We have juried shows about once a month, and I have entered several, for two reasons. The first is that I am relatively new to painting, only two years, and this is a way to participate in my new hobby. Last year I entered my first all-state juried by slide show, and was accepted, but getting the paintings framed, the slides taken etc. was expensive and the rewards nebulous. I haven't decided whether or not too do all that again. Just taking the work to be juried in person is much easier, as I live nearby, and probably I will continue that, which brings me to the second reason - I enjoy the shows. I look forward to seeing what's new each month, and I am grateful that the Art League holds the shows, and that the local artists participate. The prizes (of which I have won two so far) are minor and not very important, but encouraging to a beginner.
I have experience judging quilt shows, so I know how difficult judging is, and I always assume the judge is doing his best, and try not to take it personally when my work doesn't get accepted. I think that when you are an established artist, who actually routinely sells their work, that the risk/reward ratio would be unacceptable, just as in quilting. Nationally known quilt teachers, for example, never enter competitive shows, because if they don't win a prize, their value as professional teachers might diminish. I don't know if this applies to painting or not. |
Dale
| | Posted on Thursday, August 26, 2004 - 8:31 am: | |
Kukana, I agree with you completely. (well almost)
I'm a retired art director of a major
corporation with years of art school training and
experience in the marketing world. So when I
began to paint again I thought it was important to
enter national shows in order to gain recognition.
I rethought my goals and decided at my age that
was not important. Sure, a prize is a boost to
the ego. But I'm no longer painting for profit but
for self satisfaction. I know whem my work is
good and bad and don't need a "judge" to tell me.
I also find the poorest judges as those with
academic experience for credentials. Especially
art historians and museum curators. National
shows are mostly better because they are usually
judged by artists. But how can a realist fairly
compare an opaque abstract to a transparent
traditional watercolor? How can he possibley state
that one is better than the other?
I agree that if your goal is to write books and
teach workshops, then it's important to be seen
in
shows and get the name recognition. I suppose it's
all a matter goals.
Enjoyed your comments. Thanks |
jandrle
| | Posted on Thursday, August 26, 2004 - 7:56 am: | |
I understand that there are people in the Art League that keep notes
from year to year about the judges and what kind of show they pick.
The judges can only be invited back every 18 months or so.
These artists literally paint to please the judge to get into the shows.
I can't imagine having time to do that... or altering my style to please
someone else.
I agree with Kukana, that juried shows don't do it for me either.
I will say though, that with the clientelle, when you are local, the
affiliation with a well known, respected and prestigious art group such
as the Art League can impress them. Just belonging is enough for
that and we do get 10% off at the local Pearl store!
No heat from me! haha Jane |
Kukana
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - 7:55 pm: | |
Dale, I am curious, What you do think you'd get out of entering a showing and what do you think it would do for you if you won?
I used to enter shows and win quite a few as well. One day someone asked me this question. I basically couldn't come up with any good answers that worked for me so I quit the Award show business. I never entered another such contest again.( I use the word contest instead of show as I am a regualar on the art show/fair circuit. However I have a sign in my booth that says "Attention Judges:Please do not judge my booth")
Here is my thought... but just my thoughts and I don't mean that its true for anyone else.
1. I do not need the strokes, encouragment or validation. I don't need someone to tell me I've reached a new plateau or breakthrough in my work or that one of my painting sucks!
2. Winning didn't make me any more money than simply doing an art show other than the prize money. (Big deal) Paying the entry fees and going to the hassle of entering wasn't worth the gamble.
3. I paint for two reason. One, I paint a body of work that sells to earn a living. If Im not selling,thats my best judge. Two I paint another, totally different body of work for the pure love of the creative process. If one of those pieces I create does fulfills me, I don't care what anyone thinks of it.I love it and its a winner.
4. I have noticed here in Florida, there are a group of people that win everything...with the same paintings. I swear the last three Art Fairs I participated in, the exact same guy won with the exact same painting...And won best of show in two state W/C societies...with "ONE and the SAME" painting. This guy is just a proffessional award show participant. Mind you, the painting is good, hot look for todays decorating and judges tastes but there is something wrong when the same guy keeps using the same painting over and over again. Those are just the shows I know of...I wonder how many I don't know of.
5. If I want a good critque, I have fellow artists who will be blunt with me and help me learn. Entering a art show doesn't give you the feed back to learn. Who knows, your work might not win simply becasue it just doesn't appeal to the taste of the judge... (I know some judges with pretty bad taste too...some of them friends...I love them but truely believe they have no business judging. They claim their accademic experience as their credentials. Further proof that those who can, do... and those who can't...teach!(No offence intented to all teacher everywhere..)
6. If one person wins, then everyone else loses. One person will be thrilled..everyone else feels like crap. I don't want to take part in that.
(By the way, I am a full time artist, totally self suporting. My husband is my business manager and its a full time job for him. Art is ALL we do. I am not just a wanna-be. I say this not to brag but so that you know that if your reasons to 'show' are for monetary sucess you will know, that for me anyway, they make no diference. For some, im sure they credit them with their launch to sucess... I'd love to hear some of those stories. That's Great..seriously. It's just not my cup of tea. )
I know, some of you will disagree .. this is not gospel, just my two cents.
Aloha, Suzy |
Sid
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - 7:41 pm: | |
Actually, calling " everything on paper and under glass"
watercolor would be inappropriate. Usually the term
"water media" is used and includes watercolor, acrylic,
gouache, and casein. |
Dale
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - 2:25 pm: | |
I agree with you Robert. Seems that today
anything on paper and under glass is classed as a
watercolor. I'm a student of the old school and
love big fluid transparent washes. Guess I should
stick to the Transparent Watercolor Society. But
it is so far from me and packing and shipping is
so expensive and inconvenient that entering
doesn't
seem worthwhile |
jandrle
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - 12:36 pm: | |
Lots of them where I live.
They are good for your resume. Also can be good motivators.
It takes awhile to toughen up and not feel rejection, because if you
enter them you will be rejected sometimes.
The judges are subjective, the best work doesn't always get in or
win the prize.
Our art league has a juried show almost every month. They get
between 600-700 entries and take around 150. Getting there and
parking is rough, picking up is rough... sometimes I do it, other times
it just seems like too much work.
I have made those shows and sold from there (40% commission)
and, while making them made me feel validated, now I feel there are
more productive ways to spend my art time.
Some people are very "ivory tower" artists and these shows, guilds
and societies, and awards are very important.
I personally need to make money and consider myself a working
artist. I love the business end of art, marketing and finding ways of
promoting my work.
I would suggest trying everything until you decide what fits for you.
Good luck, Jane |
Robert
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - 7:51 am: | |
I for one withdrew from my local w/c society after last year's show in which all 11 ribbon winners were acrylic on paper. An acrylic program director has booked acrylic artists to do the workshops and these artists are the judges. I quit in protest. The result was they now award a special transparent watercolor award for one painting. The groups title however is ______watercolor society. I resent having acrylics being classed as watercolors, on paper or not. There are plenty of art shows that favor oil and acrylics, not many for watercolor purists like moi. Another thing--I attend figure painting sessions twice a week and nudes are not allowed in any waterclor shows around here. Rant over. As far as entering shoes is concerned, I like the exposure, but as I said, I don't like shows billed as watercolor shows featuring non watercolor art. |
Dale
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - 7:36 am: | |
Is entering state W/C shows worth the time, money
and effort? Many times the cost of entering,
shipping and handling is more than many of the
prizes. Is signature status important? I don't
think it means much unless it is AWS or NWS. I
have it in 3 state societies but never use it
because to me it sounds like I'm not up to AWS.
Also, I have a hard time with having abstracts
and traditional W/Cs vieing for the same prizes.
Must be tough for the judges. Should there be
separate catagories? The same goes for
transparent versus opaque. What do you think? |
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