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Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Rejection, A Good Thing? Pastel Paintings

You may recall that I entered a couple of paintings in the Austin Pastel Society Annual Juried Show.   I have entered most years since 1998 when I joined.  One painting is usually selected, but there have been some rejections, including this year. 

It is always a surprise -- either way!  I didn't paint much in 2015.  When I saw the list of accepted paintings I felt .... well, rejected!  After a while, that feeling passes.  It is only one judge, one day.  Often paintings rejected in one show will win in another. (I rarely enter other contests, not my thing.)  I was pleased with my paintings just the same.  The satisfaction of finishing a project with results that others like is great.

Here is a timely article from the FASO newsletter which gives some insights into rejection and how it might help you by Brienne Brown  http://faso.com/fineartviews/103729/rejection-into-a-positive-experience

Painting every day helps my artwork so much.  I don't think I do the actual "painting" any better.  Going through the motions more often gives a flow to my work.  It is actually easier to put down good strokes and find the harmonizing colors.  I usually get closer to the idea I had in mind. 

I painted my two entries during the time I was helping to put all the entries on the website.  That doesn't leave time to walk away from the painting and then come back to see how it fits together.  They were both ideas of the moment and completed with a deadline looming.  We say we work better under pressure.  I'm doubtful of that old saying.

Sometimes the painting changes when a planned idea doesn't work on paper or canvas.  I did not have time for this process to be completed.  Now I can take the time to see how I feel about the paintings. 

I posted "Trails End" here.   I changed it a little bit from what I sent in to the competition. 

The painting I entered.

Trails End
Pastel on Wallis paper
12 x 9 inches
The painting is finished.  I made the mountain more the shape it really is and broke up the forefront so the trees were not lined up in uniform fashion.  Tiny changes that I felt it needed.

Border Line
Pastel on Colourfix Sanded Paper
24 x 12 inches

The other painting as it is.  I may change it some.  Pear Cactus should replace the grass on the right is what I'm feeling.  We will see what happens.........




8 comments:

Joan Tavolott said...

You never know how one judge will react to a painting, and on a different day he/she may react totally different. Too bad I'm not judging.... :)

Jo Castillo said...

Joan, hey, thank you! I wish you were judging, too! Still in the deep freeze there I bet. We were near 80 again today. Wow!

Jennifer Rose said...

I don't enter many competitions, not due to a fear of rejection (wouldn't be he first time :p), i just have a problem sometimes with how judges do judge somethings sometimes. it often makes no sense

Anna Lisa said...

It is SOOO true that it varies from show to show even with the same painting. I entered a painting that was accepted to the Pastel Society of NM show. It didn't make it.

I was personally very moved by your Borderline painting.

Bag Blog said...

I need to go read the article you linked, but sometimes, jurors have very odd tastes in art.

Jo Castillo said...

Jennifer Rose, hi! Competitions are intimidating. Guess it is where you want to donate your fees!

Anna Lisa, hi there. Thank you. You just never know about paintings, same for selling them, it takes the right person at the right time!

Bag Blog, It was a good article. Boosts your spirits a bit! Smiling.

Joanna said...

I like both paintings a lot and am glad the deadline got you to get some painting done! :-)

Jo Castillo said...

Joanna, thanks so much. It was a good thing.


About Me

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Bastrop, Texas, United States
I Grew up in a small town , Magdalena, New Mexico. I enjoy art and the pleasure other people get from my work. I always donate some of my sales and art to charities, especially for children. That started in Bolivia with Para los Niños. "I cannot pretend to feel impartial about colors. I rejoice with the brilliant ones and am genuinely sorry for the poor browns." -- Winston Churchill

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