I'm disappointed and upset because I get tired of feeling left out of future art jobs because I'm on the autism spectrum. I still want to eventually become a famous artist in the future. 😢❤
If you are trying to profit from your art, than you have tons of critics. If you are doing art because you like it, it is therapeutic to you, then you won't care what anyone thinks. I gave my art up as a kid because of my sister's opinion of it. My other sister a year ago convinced me to do art again. I love what I do; I do often wonder at what level of artistic talent I would be at if I had not stopped. I will never know, but! I am very happy to be where I am in my art.
I have a story about something that happened over 40 years ago that I’ll never forget. At that point, I was totally involved with fiber arts and weaving, and belong to a weaving guild. In Northern California. They had an exhibit planned, and I submitted a piece and was accepted. The gallery was about 30 miles away from home, which was only a problem, because my son was in an infant in a backpack, but my husband, my son, and I went to exhibit I was so excited. We looked all over and I couldn’t find my piece, at that point someone came up to me and said oh Susan, we just couldn’t find a place where your piece fit in. Most of the work that was hung was entirely weaving that you would expect rugs patterns, etc. and not to put that down but my piece was a pattern weaving, but the pattern was executed in Mylar. I still really like that piece and I think it was just too far out from their traditional ways. I was humiliated at the time though, and thought the least they could’ve done just let me know in advance. I had invited a few people to come to the opening, and I was so glad they could not attend. Life went on, but I have never forgotten that episode .
I definitely agree that art is subjective. Most of us work on a personal level; I know that I certainly do. Each painting is a part of us. We put in every bit of our energy, hopes and dreams, often our deepest feelings. When we get brave enough to submit them to a local gallery, a juried show, or even online, we silently pray that someone will love them and want to take them home. It's a small cry for recognition, for acceptance, for love. It can be crushing to be rejected. I suppose that with many years of experience, the pain of rejection is lessened. Thank you for this video and reflection, Louise. I think it helps balance some of the emotions just knowing that EVERYONE gets rejected now and then.
Thank you so much Louise for sharing your thoughts about your art and how what happens when you get rejected. I live in a small community and each year were have a craft show. I show my art but I do not get any interest, so this makes me think my art is not good. And makes me think I should give up.
Such a great reminder about rejection, Louise. Thank you! I was not selected to be one of 3 paintings by our local art guild to be displayed at local shops and galleries. That same painting was selected to be in another show at another art center just a month prior, but didn't sell. Just goes to show how subjective these things are.
Oh my word, Louise. You have explained exactly what I feel both about the programme and about the choice of winner. This happens a lot!!! I watch this since I paint a lot of portraits myself and am fascinated by all the different ways of approaching a portrait, the techniques and the remarks, critiques and I'm forever shaking my head... I like Christian Hook anyway. May be biased but that portrait was both aesthetically pleasing and also so Judy!!! why not have it all? PS. I do a lot of charcoal drawing and didn't rate the winner. Sorry. Shouldn't say that but felt it. Anyway, thank you so much for saying all you say out loud!
Early on in my art career (prior to a formal art education, which btw pales in comparison to the amount of guidance and teaching you provide in the Art Tribe and Find Your Joy!!) I submitted a small framed and matted mixed media painting to the Philadelphia Sketch Club - and was accepted - my first entry ever in a formal art competition! During the art opening, I happened to be standing near the judge and I overheard her say "I accepted this one only because of the matting, it demonstrates how mattes do not always have to be white or neutral". My double mattes were primarily blue on top with a yellow insert below the blue. Was my painting accepted? Yes. Was it selected? No. It didn't matter to me at that time for I was there for one reason... 🍷🧀 😊
Wonderful. I gave up entering my art, and eventually gave up all together. My work was nice, but I saw some of the most awful pieces of “art” with ribbons hanging off them. I didn’t take it personally, because there were many other nice paintings being passed over. Yes, of course it’s subjective, but also political…who knows whom, whose looking for favors. I now hate the whole “art competition” world. It crushes people. It took the joy out painting for me. If you’ve got lots of money and a lovely big studio and can afford whatever materials you want, the rest of us don’t stand a chance.
This is very encouraging, Louise. I’ve been rejected for the last three juried shows I entered, and when I saw the shows, I understood why. One was juried by a woman who was looking for ultra, ultra, way-out modern, and the other show was very conservative and unadventurous, in my opinion. I didn’t fit into either of these categories. Knowing that didn’t hurt any less, though (such is my fragile ego) so I’ve decided not to enter any more juried shows. Three strikes and you’re out. It’s just not worth it to me.
I can totally get behind the concept that art appreciation is subjective. I've heard you say (paraphrased), "o.k., well my art isn't for you." What I would find totally frustrating (and frankly why I wouldn't consider applying) is the lack of clarity on how submissions will be judged and selected. If it's up to some random individual's whim or preference I'm fine with that -- just spell it out up front. I mean how difficult would it to state, "this years submissions will be based on the creative use of purple and green with a focus on hyper-realism"? Surely that would save time and effort on the part of artists who might have considered submitting, allowing them to realize "o.k., well this show isn't for me". I will admit I hold a negative bias towards governing bodies in all sectors of life, and carry the prejudgment that they're often individuals who can't "do" and inhabit roles where they can judge those who actually "do".
This really makes me feel better, I put my work on fb( maybe not such a good idea but I get an idea of what people like in the areas they are from even what their personalities are. Thank you again. I could listen to you all day and watch you paint. Your an inspiration, thank you for sharing this
Totally agree, I have followed Christian Hook for years, watched every video I could. His way of working is amazing and he gets to know his subjects be that buildings, horses, people before even putting paint or pencil to canvas. Yes I’m a fan, but the judges on any art completion rarely choose the one that stands out to me, as you say they have an agenda we just have to accept that and not be put off. We like what we like. Wise words though Denise. Oh by the way I was recently at a workshop and several of the ladies there were in Your art tribe and had been for years. Very interesting chatting to them.
I totally agree! I often see art that has been sold that I would not have chosen myself. I specifically think this when I watch Landscape Artist of the Year and Portrait Artist of the Year. Quite often they choose pieces of art that I really dont understand!. It is a good job though otherwise art would be boring and we wouldn't move forward. I think that we should, however follow the basic rules of composition, tonal value and emotional value. If we can't emotionally respond to art then what is the point! An added basic rule should be in portraiture - likeness and/or essence. I think that the winner had neither of these unfortunately.
honestly this made me really emotional. After being excited about a possible sale of one of my oil paintings, the person said that the price is way too high for them, which was actually what I anticipated. Still, I had talked to knowledgeable people and made sure the pricing was fair beforehand, so I was already a bit insecure about it all, as Im new to the whole selling paintings thing. So I was feeling unsure about the value of my work, the fairness of the price and if selling should really be as big of a deal as I make it right now, on this part of my path as an artist. This video felt a bit like a videochat with a friend or lovely family member, encouraging, informative and honest! Thanks for making me feel better!
Lots of people won't see the value in our art but they are not our customers - I don't see the value in expensive cars, but some people do and the car companies market to them and not me :)
I haven't seen the episode you are referring to , but I did see the season Christian Hook won. I even traveled to Edenborough so see the original { from South Africa} it is brilliant! My only criticism of the Portrait Artist of The Year series is, that the judges are always the same . One needs to have guest judges to have a better and fair result.
I love what you say about subjective judging. We see that in every artistic genre: actors, writers, musicians etc. Someone spends ten years writing a movie script and then people spend 120 minutes watching it. Even if it's excellent, people are looking for the next one to watch. The effort and passion for the arts is difficult because of the ambivalence of the viewers. When I do stand up comedy I experience the same thing. I find it Ironic when someone tells me what he liked the best because I get mad at that! You thought that was the funniest? Isn't it interesting that raw talent is measured?
I love what you say and you reader's example is perfect. Most competitions know beforehand what they're looking for, but never have a brief saying that clearly. Why? Because many competitions have an entry fee and the more applicants the more money. That happened in the latest online exhibition organised by Nick, as the curator is one of those gallerists who probably sells to people who don't even understand art, so she needs something realistic. She even said that it is all abstract these days... like in a negative way, and why she had chosen the winners and shortlisted pieces, mostly realistic... That loses my respect for any competition. It's like you're a guy dating to marry a stay-at-home girl, but you date professional women who clearly say that they want to continue working and want no children, but you never tell them what you want because you benefit physically. Most people would be appalled by that behaviour. Yet, this is exactly what's happening in many art competitions -- they aren't about honesty or professionalism, but all about profits and marketing. I have money constrictions, if I apply for anything, I want to apply for something I have a chance, even if tiny, not for something that the organiser knows would never fit anything that is not realistic.
I feel like the "galleried" art world is full of pretentious snoots that pander to who they know. I have absolutely no desire to be part of it, competition or otherwise. Art and competition are two words that should never be in the same sentence. There is no "one" winner, how could there be? It's not a game or a sport.
I paint abstract art and only one friend has bought anything I've painted. Clearly my friends and family don't understand my art therefore they don't like it. I live in a small town where the artists paint barns and cows so my abstract art doesn't fit in. The galleries are not interested in my art or me... Because I'm not famous. In the USA if you are famous you can paint any crap and someone will buy it.
I am convinced that our art competitions are rigged in our small city in Utah. All the jurors know the artists they choose. Some really good paintings do not even get an honorable mention. Shows do not prove anything. Sales of artwork is the best the best validation.
The fact that art is all political and not about art any more has annoyed me to no end over the last few years. Now every art show has a theme. As an artist I was invited to apply as long as I fit criteria such as: lesbian, transgender, colored, mentally ill, handicapped, native American, under 12 years old, incarcerated, bullied, or any other "group" of people. All across the USA from Oregon and Washington to Florida, the Carolinas, Virginia and New York State, all these exclusive themes that have nothing to do with art. As a white, married, heterosexual, non handicapped woman who's never been mentally ill, bullied or jailed, I was not eligible to enter any of these art shows. Then there are the shows where your art must be made from garbage... Literally... Garbage. To push ecology and the environment. Bull$hit.
