"Paintings With Personality"

Lugano, Switzerland is a beautiful city, there are flowers everywhere, a wonderful market and stunning little back alleys. This painting is of one of those little alleys. 

Have you ever been to an art exhibit where you wondered what in the world the judges were thinking? That is often the topic of conversation at exhibits I attend. The discussion inevitably ends with the same general consensus which is that art is and will always be subjective and getting into a show or winning an award mostly about luck.

How good you are as an artist is only one factor in the jurying/judging process. There are times when the quality of the artwork has little to do with whether your work gets into a show, and whether it gets an award when it does gain entrance.

These days the entry process is easier because of digital cameras and the ability to upload the work onto a website, you can even pay the entry fee online. In some cases the art doesn’t even have to be at the location. The jurying, judging and show are all done online and floating around in cyberspace, where anyone who wants to can see the art.

Keep reading for the Why, Which, Who, When, Where, What, and How of Fine Art Shows:

1. WHY do you want to enter shows? Are you looking for approval, recognition (getting your name known), the chance of winning an award, or something else? Take time to think about it and what your goals might be.
2. WHICH shows should you enter? Here are a few questions you can ask to help make that decision. Does the exhibit meet your needs (based upon your answer to why)? How many artists usually enter, and how many get into the show? What are you hoping will happen as a result of the show? How long will your work be tied up, when will you get it back?
3. WHO are the juror and judge? The juror decides who gets into a show, the judge decides where the awards go. Find out what you can about them and what they look for in art. Know the kind of work they do, chances are they will be more critical of work that is similar to their own. Be careful not to submit the same work to the same judge in another show.
4. WHEN is the show? Be aware of the dates of the show and make sure you are available for the delivery, reception and pickup.
5. WHERE is the exhibit being held: Is it near enough for you to drive to deliver and pick up your work? Or, will your work have to be shipped? To mail you must have boxes to protect your work, and know when it must be shipped to get to the destination on time.
6. WHAT should you enter? The work you select needs to be strong and personal. It should also be unusual, inspiring, exciting, and enjoyable to look at. Something that will make the judge sit up and take notice. The work must also have a solid design and show expertise in your medium.
7. HOW to enter a juried and judged art show: Always read the prospectus carefully and follow it exactly. Provide the best photographs you can, buy a new camera or hire someone to take your photos if you must. If you are allowed three entries submit three entries. Look at your photographs (digitally) for 10 seconds before moving on to the next, because this is how the judges will see them. If they don’t grab your attention, they won’t grab a judge’s attention.

No matter what happens, never give up creating art, or entering competitions. It really is subjective and art that didn’t get into one show might win an award in another. After every show, study what got into the show and compare it to your own work, so you will know what to enter the next time. Learn and grow with each show you enter.

What do you look at when entering a show? Please comment below.    Later, Judy

www.judyballance.com