SHOWS

You may have noticed on my sidebar, two of my recent paintings have been accepted into shows.

Of course, any time that I am juried into a show, especially a national show, I’m thrilled! But I also realize that there are many, many entries in these shows, and varied jurors looking at those entries, so I’m not going to make it into all of the shows I enter.

Case in point, this year as always (or so it seems!) the painting I entered into TWSA was not accepted. This has now become a matter of pride and I’m even more determined to get into that show some day, so I’ll “keep on keepin’ on” and try, try again.

When I have a strong painting that is not accepted into a show, it can sting. But I don’t let it get me down for more than a few minutes! I’ve had several paintings that were not accepted into one show, but then accepted into the next one.

An honest judge will tell you that the judging process is subjective, and that, had they looked at those same paintings on another day they may have juried in a far different show.

So, my words of wisdom to those of you who get upset when you are “rejected” are:
• enjoy and celebrate your successes (preferably with friends and wine!)
• don’t let the rejections get you down but instead –
• review and re-critique your paintings to see where you may need to make improvements, and –
• KEEP ON TRYING!

SHOWS

See my sidebar for upcoming shows.

I was asked to juror the Bethesda North show this year and I'm a nervous wreck about it.  Since I've so often been on the receiving end of a judge's decision, I'm well aware of how an artist feels if their work is not accepted into a show.  This is a huge responsiblity and I take it very seriously - and I don't want to mess it up!  

If you are interested in entering the Bethesda North show, it is for artists within a 50-mile radius of Cincinnati, Ohio.  You can click on the link for more info or to request a prospectus.

Two of my paintings were accepted (one each!) into ViewPoint ("Flights of Fancy") and the Ohio Watercolor Society show ("Oriental Roses").

We have two Greater Cincinnati Watercolor Society shows coming up.  The first is at Kennedy Heights Arts Center, located about 2 miles south of Kenwood Mall, and I hope you will be able to either attend the opening or drop in some day while the show hangs.  This is a great facility and I'm so looking forward to this new venue for our Society.  The fall show will be at Evergreen Retirement Center and we will have 3 cash prizes.

And, last but certainly not least, my painting "Ying Yang Mums" (April 25, 2012 post) was accepted into the National Watercolor Society 92nd Annual Juried Exhibit!  YIKES!  I had to pick myself up off the floor for that one and re-read the email twice to verify what it said!

BETHESDA OPENING

This spring one of the local hospitals was in the process of renovating a building and they wanted to feature art from local artists in the facility, but didn’t know how to go about that. They contacted a well known local artist and she suggested a competition. I entered the competition - we were allowed to enter up to 3 paintings – and all of mine were chosen! The artwork will hang for one year unless it sells (hope springs eternal!)
The opening was Wednesday night. The facility is quite lovely and each of the dressing rooms has one piece of artwork. The rest is spread through the halls, reception and waiting areas and the common area and foyer.
Two of mine are hanging in one of the upstairs waiting rooms – it was cool to walk into the reception area, glance over and see them hanging! The other is in the hallway of the first floor ladies dressing room area.
There were several other works by more GCWS artists. Kept running into (literally – the place was crowded!) people I know and so had a very enjoyable evening.
It was so much fun walking through – original artwork behind each door! All sorts of media, all kinds of styles, all different sizes! Some of the works are already purchased, too!
Last week, one of my students called me to give me a heads up before the opening – she had just been there for her mammogram and was surprised to see my artwork on the wall! She then walked around the rest of the facility and said it was like being in a gallery!
That was their plan – to make what can be an unpleasant experience into a pleasant one via beautiful surroundings. I think they succeeded!

Here are a couple photos taken quickly during the evening - Mary Jo Cropper Family Breast Center, on the campus of Bethesda North Hospital - Grand Opening.