Recently I submitted work to two different juried shows; I was accepted to one, rejected from the other. The standard procedure for art associations is to post information about the juror prior to the submitting of work which can be a tool to help the artist get a sense of what the show may look like based on what style of art the juror is associated with. I have always struggled with this; I have both watercolor and encaustic paintings, both impressionistic (and more recently) abstract styles of painting. Even now for me it's a challenge to not second guess my submission choices. Needless to say, I was disappointed when one of my newest works was rejected from a show, and I ask myself... but what if I had submitted something more abstract, would I have gotten into that show?
My practice for right now is to trust myself, and follow my heart when I create new art. I have to turn off the inner critic, and just continue to move forward. I was going to end this post with a question asking if anyone else has ever experienced these self-doubt feelings but I already know the answer. :)
Accepted pieces:
Rejected pieces:
All of your work is beautiful. Very beautiful. We all feel that inner critic telling us we are not good enough. We have to fight it and tell it, "the heck with you! I am good enough!" Also, it is hard to predict what will strike the fancy of a juror. I will say from what I hear abstracts are the "in" thing, for the moment. I am going to start doing some abstracts for just that reason. GRATS!!!! on being accepted into a show! That is so wonderful. Kick your inner critic out of the room and pat yourself on the back. Good job!
ReplyDeleteJurying is so subjective - and pretty much a crap-shoot. It's always disappointing to get that rejection letter/email. Just remember that it's never a reflection of your work.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the two that got in.
Self-doubt? Me? No, never... ;-)
-Don
Oh yes, I can relate! I've quit trying to second guess the jurors. However, if I know for certain that the juror prefers a particular genre and my work doesn't match, then I don't enter. I do like the major shows that have more than one juror because personal biases can be overcome. It's so subjective that it's hard to predict. Also, these shows can only take a limited number of entries and we don't know who we're up against. So, the juror's job is pretty tough most of the time and I know they end up rejecting paintings that, if the could add them, would get into the show.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all of your comments and support. As a footnote, let me just say when I picked up my rejected pieces today I was in total disagreement with some of the works that did make it into the show, and some of the rejected works were absolutely beautiful to me. It truly is so subjective and I know I need to quit trying to second guess jurors and just do what I love.
ReplyDeleteIt is a crap shoot (whatever that is). Congratulations. Trust yourself and stick with what you love.
ReplyDeleteThe dragonfly piece (top) might take the prize.
These are all gorgeous Robin! I've never entered any art shows so I have no words of wisdom. That you entered at all seems a success to me.
ReplyDeleteI will third the motion that getting accepted to a show is a crap shoot. And knowing that, I still agonize over what pieces to send in. And if I get a rejection the voice says, "Shoot, I KNEW I should have sent the other one in." But at the end of the day, we've put our heart and soul into our work and so we've done our part... we have no control over what others think of it.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the acceptances - those 2 pieces are gorgeous... I love the textures.
Hi Robin, Juried shows are strange beasts, aren't they? I think you're so right to trust yourself and follow your heart. Getting declined is nothing about you. And, it is good to enjoy the moment when you do get in! Congrats on the acceptance!
ReplyDeleteMore and more lately I feel that I shouldn't even pick up a pencil or a paintbrush. I think all four of your pieces are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThese are all beautiful Robin. I think entering shows is an exercise in thickening the skin. We all have to do it as artists but it still is disappointing when rejections occur. Congratulations on getting into the one show. The two paintings that were rejected will probably win prizes in the next show you enter. You never know, do you?
ReplyDeleteCrap shoot, strange beasts, subjective craziness, regardless how we choose to define and rationalize it, we all have experienced it if we submit work to juried shows. I remind myself that the reason I love making art is not (just) to get accepted into shows, it's because I love and feel the need to make art. If I do get into a show, or sell a painting, even better... but the bottom line is I am going to keep painting, you all are the best support system! Thick skin is key to survival in the art world, thanks for reminding me Nancy.
ReplyDeleteSherry, I do want to address your comment, because you should definitely keep at what you are doing, it's a gift to and for yourself.
Lord knows, because I think all of these are stunning, and I especially like the last two! You are doing better than me though. About 2 decades ago I had a piece rejected from a show. And eventually I stopped painting. I don't know if the two events were directly related or not, but it was probably part of the equation. I was young and stupid. Now I am playing catchup. Trusting yourself is the only way to go.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite jury story is one Charles Sovek told. He was a professional artist & he sent things off (back in the old days) physically (no digital back then). Well, he was rejected for a show and he got the painting back in a crate. He didn't even un-crate it, he put a new shipping label on it and sent it to another show...........(wait for it...) where it won first place. So it is in the "art world". Being an artist is certainly not at all like being a CPA. Most of what we do doesn't make a lick of sense. Sovek died a few years ago. I have always been grateful to him for relaying that story in one of his books. I think being in juried shows is very important...and as artists we must be wise about choosing the shows and very aware of the "inexplicable" aspects of the process. I enjoyed seeing all 4 of your pieces. :)
ReplyDeleteI appreciate so much hearing about everyone's experiences and especially appreciate your story, Celeste. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteAs a veteran artist of more years dealing with judges than most, I can tell you that judges are not what they are cracked up to be most of the time. Often they pick what they think is the 'in' thing or what the committee that hired them wants. It's understandable to be disappointed, but you have to be true to yourself. The good news is that you did get two pieces accepted and the other two will be accepted in another show.
ReplyDelete