Friday, July 22, 2011

Walkabout


6x6 oil on panel
$100 + s/h - sold

Its hard to paint a busy scene small. And a figure no bigger than a bobby pin? whew!
But I pushed through it. Again, its a scene that needs to be larger. Or I need to crop in closer and paint just the figure (and her little dog too! - said in the voice of the Wicked Witch).

I've had an up and down day today and almost didn't paint. The up is that we are prepping to go to Cozumel for a family vacation and I am super excited about that. The downer was being rejected again for an art competition.

While I painted I pouted. But then I began to wonder why do I WANT to be accepted? I suppose it would be nice to win an award or see my name out there. But mostly I enter and hope to be accepted as part of best 'business practices'. Shouldn't I be trying to promote myself? Building my resume? Reaching a bigger audience and increasing the value of my paintings? Maybe in some way too I want to feel part of the larger world... that what I am doing in my studio is acceptable out there in the world. One can get tunnel vision or be isolated in this profession. And though the work was rejected, I still look at it and am reallllly pleased and wouldn't change a thing about my results. And ultimately, that is the best feeling.

There are so many possible avenues to consider WHY a painting isn't accepted to show, and I don't want to go into that here. But in sharing, maybe I can just let my friends know that rejection sucks, but it doesn't really mean much. Just keep painting.

16 comments:

cissy said...

Robin, just keep painting, you are GOOD! Rejection happens to all of us.......and I agree it is silly to let it bother us, but it does, and it is nice to know that the best of artists get rejected. The point is to paint what you like and keep going.......

Marilyn R Miller said...

Big Congratulations for continuing to enter shows!!! The rotten rejections really do not mean that much and one day , I predict, you will win a prize!

Yes, let us all keep painting!

Darla McDowell said...

Robin, this piece is beautiful. I've been studying it in awe. Please keep painting, because your work is truly inspirational.

Kirk Witmer said...

Feelin' down about being rejected for a competition? Why not do what I do? I simply refuse to compete! Do we really need acceptance from some "judges", or worse yet, _a_ judge, to be validated as an artist?

Kirk Witmer said...

And by the way, _I_ think this piece, with what you've done with the lighting, is wonderful! But sorry, I don't have any ribbons to hand out. :)

Sheila Foley said...

Unfortunately rejection is a big part of an artist's life. All the greats were rejected so you're in good company. I have to say, Robin, that your work (although I've never seen it in person) never ceases to inspire and inform me. I rank you among the best of modern painters. I look forward to checking your blog and live vicariously through your successes. Reject that rejection. It means nothing.

nigelfletcher said...

`i completely agree with you about the art competition thing, I too enter occasionally and some are accepted and some aren't, and although I m pleased to be accepted I'm not sure why I do it. I console myself when there is a rejection by saying 'wel I like it' and my friends do too and I do sell my work so what else matters. You have a lovely way of painting, loose free and confident keep it up

Liza Hirst said...

I absolutely love this painting, Robin! And of course I can totally relate to what you wrote about promoting yourself and art competitions and so on. Your work is sooo good - it should definitely have been excepted! they don't know what their missing.

Connie said...

I love everything about this painting! The colors work so well together, the figure shows just enough defination, and the bike at the edge just makes it. I have been rejected so many times--it's such a downer. I think in these juried shows with so much excellent work, it comes down to what the judges prefer. This is not an objection. How could it be any different? I like your attitude about being pleased with your painting despite not being chosen.

Virginia Floyd said...

Sorry, Robin. Rejection does suck, and not just in the art world.

This is a lovely painting. I'm impressed by all the detail you achieved in such a small painting. The figure and dog are well done with just a few strokes, yet very lifelike. I love the bicycle and the red wall framing the strollers. Well done!

Barbara Pask said...

I love this painting, so loose and fresh. I know what you mean about getting rejected, most of us are very sensitive about our art and it hurts. I try not to take it personal when I am rejected. There can be so many reasons why and a lot of them not related to the quality of our art. A good topic to discuss. Happy Painting to you

Diana Moses Botkin said...

"The road to success is paved with rejection slips".

It does get a bit depressing sometimes, but like others have pointed out here, it's often a mystery why a particular piece does or doesn't get accepted.

"Walkabout" is wonderful, Robin. My hat's off to you for accomplishing so much in this petite piece.

shirley fachilla said...

Your post is just what I needed. Validation is something everyone (artist and non-artist) desires; and for an artist, acceptance in a show is one way of getting it.
Because one's art is such a personal thing, it's very hard not to take rejection personally!
May I add I love your work; I think it's beautiful and distinctly yours. I so appreciate you sharing how it feels to "not get in."
Guess you can tell, I've been there, too!

Arion said...

It looks beautiful. I love it.

If you want to check out some of my work visit my blog (www.artbyarion.blogspot.com) or arionart at Deviant Art.

Linda Popple said...

As all have said ~ rejection is awful, but I hope that you will get past this feeling and realize that you are really a great painter with a fantastic creative spirit. Although, I don't comment often I do visit and fortunate to own one piece. I love your work and there are many, many, MANY people who do!! So enjoy your family time time and return with a renewed spirit to paint. :-)

Art said...

Very good pictures, i like it!

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