The Art of Competition
Like it or not - we are in a competition
The lists on the previous post of shows are just some of the available venues for us to display and sell our art. What you all need to realize - very early on - is that myself and sometimes about 500 over artists are directly competing for the right to set up shop at that fair, on that weekend.
One of the major shows in this area that I have been privileged enough to attend the jury for is the Peoria Art Guilds fall Fine Art Festival. Every year, approximately 700 artists apply for 120 open spots.
Wait - Look at the numbers - over 80% of all applicants are - "rejected" . Does this mean that if you don't make the cut for ____________________ show (you fill in the blank) that your tossing all your work in the trash and getting a job as a greeter at Walmart. Man I hope not.
I've told other artists in the past and I will continue to tell all the others - If you not getting rejected - your not shooting high enough . How can you expect to get better if you are not pushing yourself to go higher.
Since I have quite a few baseball themed painting ( and attend a few game through the summer) I like to us baseball analogies - the very best hitters in professional baseball only get a hit at one third of their at bats.
While we are on this line of thought - rarely does a player start in the Major league - It could happen - it just doesn't very often. Most players learn the ropes over a few seasons in the Minor leagues. Does this mean that they are less talented - not necessarily - they just needed to develop there skill for a little bit longer.
Art can be the same way. There is not a set formula that will get you to the top. It is trial and error - and sometimes talent and technique can have little to do with it. Sometimes it is just blind luck.
So as you are picking out the shows that you want to attend .......know this .........somewhere....is an artist in their studio that has their eye on that very same prize....... so you better bring your
A Game.
I am
Like it or not - we are in a competition
The lists on the previous post of shows are just some of the available venues for us to display and sell our art. What you all need to realize - very early on - is that myself and sometimes about 500 over artists are directly competing for the right to set up shop at that fair, on that weekend.
One of the major shows in this area that I have been privileged enough to attend the jury for is the Peoria Art Guilds fall Fine Art Festival. Every year, approximately 700 artists apply for 120 open spots.
Wait - Look at the numbers - over 80% of all applicants are - "rejected" . Does this mean that if you don't make the cut for ____________________ show (you fill in the blank) that your tossing all your work in the trash and getting a job as a greeter at Walmart. Man I hope not.
I've told other artists in the past and I will continue to tell all the others - If you not getting rejected - your not shooting high enough . How can you expect to get better if you are not pushing yourself to go higher.
Since I have quite a few baseball themed painting ( and attend a few game through the summer) I like to us baseball analogies - the very best hitters in professional baseball only get a hit at one third of their at bats.
While we are on this line of thought - rarely does a player start in the Major league - It could happen - it just doesn't very often. Most players learn the ropes over a few seasons in the Minor leagues. Does this mean that they are less talented - not necessarily - they just needed to develop there skill for a little bit longer.
Art can be the same way. There is not a set formula that will get you to the top. It is trial and error - and sometimes talent and technique can have little to do with it. Sometimes it is just blind luck.
So as you are picking out the shows that you want to attend .......know this .........somewhere....is an artist in their studio that has their eye on that very same prize....... so you better bring your
A Game.
I am
posted by tom at 5:42 PM
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