The Salt Lake County Fair is next week and I entered two paintings in the fine arts competition. I entered:
No surprise there! One of the requirements to enter is that the painting was completed in the last three years. These are the only two watercolor paintings I have finished the the past three years. Wow. That makes me sad! I need to get my butt in gear!
Entering a painting in a competition and sharing my work has always been nerve-wracking for me. But I'm making myself do it because I figure what good is a painting if it is just going to sit in a portfolio in my room? It would be a waste of time and effort to pour so much hard work into a painting and never share it with anyone, especially when I love watercolor so much. And that's a big part of the reason I started my blog, too.
The Utah State Fair is next month and I would like to enter a painting but I am more hesitant about that competition than the county fair. I entered a painting in the county fair when I was in high school and won a first place ribbon (for my stargazer lily painting, my only first place ribbon to date). I was excited about it until I looked around at all the other entries and saw that a lot of other pieces got first place ribbons as well. Like way too many people. It seemed like your painting had to be really not good to not get a first place ribbon, like an "everyone is a winner" kind of thing. So, yeah, it was disappointing at the time but it makes it a lot easier to enter this time around because I know I probably won't be disappointed.
The state fair is another story. I have never entered the fine arts competition at the state fair. I read about the competition and you can be juried out, which makes me really nervous. I attended last year and there were a lot of beautiful entries. I feel like I would have a good chance of being juried out. If I entered a painting in the state fair my goal would just be to not be juried out. I suppose it wouldn't be the end of the world if I was juried out and it would give me something to work toward for next year.
the lilies and...
the poppies. I put them in a white frame and I quite like it.
No surprise there! One of the requirements to enter is that the painting was completed in the last three years. These are the only two watercolor paintings I have finished the the past three years. Wow. That makes me sad! I need to get my butt in gear!
Entering a painting in a competition and sharing my work has always been nerve-wracking for me. But I'm making myself do it because I figure what good is a painting if it is just going to sit in a portfolio in my room? It would be a waste of time and effort to pour so much hard work into a painting and never share it with anyone, especially when I love watercolor so much. And that's a big part of the reason I started my blog, too.
The Utah State Fair is next month and I would like to enter a painting but I am more hesitant about that competition than the county fair. I entered a painting in the county fair when I was in high school and won a first place ribbon (for my stargazer lily painting, my only first place ribbon to date). I was excited about it until I looked around at all the other entries and saw that a lot of other pieces got first place ribbons as well. Like way too many people. It seemed like your painting had to be really not good to not get a first place ribbon, like an "everyone is a winner" kind of thing. So, yeah, it was disappointing at the time but it makes it a lot easier to enter this time around because I know I probably won't be disappointed.
The state fair is another story. I have never entered the fine arts competition at the state fair. I read about the competition and you can be juried out, which makes me really nervous. I attended last year and there were a lot of beautiful entries. I feel like I would have a good chance of being juried out. If I entered a painting in the state fair my goal would just be to not be juried out. I suppose it wouldn't be the end of the world if I was juried out and it would give me something to work toward for next year.
The other issue is which painting to enter. You can enter two in the county fair, but only one in the state fair. I doubt that I will be able to finish another painting before the entry deadline, and I'm not sure that I would want to. I don't need another option to choose from. So, my decision is between the poppies and the lilies. I was leaning toward the lilies until I framed the poppies. Now I just don't know which to pick. Any suggestions?
I think you need to go for it and enter the State Fair...I don't think you will be juried out.
ReplyDeleteTough decision on which one...I think they are both great but lean towards you poppies.
Good Luck...I love the new painting you started too :)
That is a tough one....I love them both!! I love lilies, but I really like your one of the poppies. What does you Mom say? She probably finds it hard to pick one too. You are super talented!!!!
ReplyDeleteI would love to be able to paint or draw.
I am sure which ever you one you choice will be a winner.
Love, Lisa
Thanks Joan and Aunt Lisa! I was leaning toward the poppies, too, until the lilies did better in the county fair. I think that means I need to go with the lilies! I will definitely have my mom help me make the final decision though!
ReplyDelete