Art For All Canada (AFAC) Conference for artists
Art For All Canada is a not-for-profit organization run by artists to help artists develop, show and sell their work comission-free. They have a call to all Canadian Artists for their March Show and conference. More information can be found at their web site: www.artforallcanada.org
The conference is March 6 and 7th. The Art Show is March 6-13th at the Metro Hall, in Toronto, Canada.
Caroline Jasper’s, “Color Moves: Painting Water with Oils.”
Let Caroline Jasper teach you oil painting techniques that create visual movement! In this oil painting video, Color Moves: Painting Water with Oils, see how Caroline manipulates the properties of color to create the visual effect of movement in her favorite subject water.
Learn to put color-energy and capture visual movement in your subjects! Author and artist Caroline Jasper is extremely well grounded in color theory.
Caroline begins by showing you the logic from which her color decisions are based and the benefits of working on a vibrantly colored ground. Caroline shows examples of a variety of color options. She demonstrates how to break up color areas, the proper use of reference photos, how to plan a value scheme and executes a painting.
Congratulations San Diego Watercolor Society Winners
Congratulations to all the San Diego Watercolor Society 2009 International Exhibition Winners including:
George James, Conner and Maurice, SDWS Best in Show Cash Award
Judy Morris, The Pigeons, Piazza San Marco, Linda Doll Seminar Group Cash Award
Donna Zagotta, The Orange Umbrella, Ana Drobnies Cash Award
Ratindra Das, Jenny Seated, Woodside Animal Hospital/Eunice Porte Memorial Cash Award
From Behind the Camera:
Creative Catalyst Newsletter
February 24, 2009
From Behind the Camera: So if you’re going to enter…
Last week I wrote about why it’s good to enter art shows. Here are some additional tips.
First of all, don’t paint for the judge. It’s in-authentic. Even if an award is received, you’ve learned nothing about yourself and your artistic path. In this time of copying and cheap rip-offs, I’d like to think we could at least be honest with ourselves.
Large paintings tend to do better than smaller, equally good pieces. I think it has something to do with surrounding the viewer or dominating the wall. I remember asking a juror about my piece and all she had to say was, “I didn’t realize it was so small.”
Don’t get worked up over rejection. It is the opinion of one juror at a particular moment in time. On another day, in another situation, you may have been accepted. The rejection may have had nothing to do with you. For example, if you’ve painted a sunflower and there have been 5 other sunflower paintings entered, and your entry was the last one up, the juror may have thought, “Too many sunflowers!” and out it goes.
Prepare for the show. I’ve heard many of the artists we work with say they are “painting for a show.” This means they are giving time, effort and their full attention to their entry.They want their entry to be a reflection of their best work at that particular time in their career. Additionally, mat and frame your piece nicely. How will someone else take it seriously if you don’t value it yourself?
Use your own resource materials. Last year an artist won the top award in the American Watercolor Society Annual show by literally copying a commercially available stock photograph. This is so sad in so many ways. The insecurity or complete ignorance that drove the artist to do that is unfathomable. The award has since been rescinded.
Shows are a reason to push yourself. Your best long range hope is to be yourself. Take a few risks. Work up your own unique combination of techniques, subject and presentation. Entry deadlines help us focus. If you’re nervous, start with a small local show. Give yourself the gift of time to prepare. One day, with enough insight and effort, an acceptance will arrive, made all the more sweet because it was honestly earned.
Cheers, Lynn Powers
From Behind the Camera: To enter or not to enter…
I love picking the brains of artist’s when they’re here to film. One of my favorite subjects is juried art shows. I want to know what they think about shows both as judges and competitors. There are many points of view. Here are some reasons why a serious artist should make the effort to enter shows.
Entering an art show works best if we approach it as a learning experience. One aspect of art is communication. If our message is not getting through to our audience, then perhaps we are not finished learning how to best express our message.
Professional teachers say it’s necessary to enter shows to acquire credibility. Book publishers, gallery owners, workshop directors, art organizations and yes, even video production companies, look at show catalogs. In addition, national association credentials say an artist takes themselves seriously. They have moved their art from the hobby phase and into the light of public scrutiny.
Hanging one’s work next to that of another painter’s can be very educational. By doing so we have the opportunity to see our work as though it was painted by someone else. We can ask ourselves if our painting captures our attention like those with whom we share the wall.
Artists gain insights that change the way they work. Ann Pember, for example, said she realized she needed to add strong colors, values and design to express her feelings about flowers. The show enabled her to see her next growth step.
With some luck, a successful show can be reaffirming. An artist’s life can be one of second guessing. We wonder if we are making any headway. A bit of public recognition can encourage us onward and upward.
And finally, some of our best artistic associations can be made at shows. We may admire someone’s work and learn a thing or two by talking directly to the artist. Lifelong friendships can develop through a shared interest.
February 17, 2009
Cheers, Lynn Powers
Free On Line Art Show
Here’s some great reasons to enter the show:
- It’s free,
- DVD certificates are awarded to top winners,
- By entering you can ask the juror to critique your work, and
- It’s a great way to show other artists what you’re doing!
It’s a win-win.
Summer Art Show Winners
Best of Show
A Dream
Veronica Garcia-Huidobro
Best Story-Behind-the-Painting
Uncles & Brothers & Fathers & Sons
Claudia Balthrop
Best Design
Eagle Over The Pines
Cheryl McClure
Most thought-provoking
Island Dreaming
Marilynn Brandenburger
Best use of color and Best Composition
Candy Girls
Kathy Jurek
Honorable Mention
Handiwork
Georgia Mason
Honorable Mention
Sittin & Spittin
Durinda Cheek
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