I just submitted to a locally famous, heavily juried open studio tour that I will call Art Paths. I was juried into Art Paths before, but did not participate for a few years, and so lost my place.
Here are my group of six mixed media images. The last time I submitted mixed media was several years ago. This group is both more painterly and primitive, leading to the thought that I may have actually regressed in my art skills. But is it good enough for Art Paths?
The biggest problem most people seem to have is in gathering a group of cohesive images. This was the best I could come up with. The jury and jurors change entirely from year to year, and are from out of the area. I guess that means that I won’t be able to influence them with my vast local clout, but need to rely on the work, and their (entirely uncontrollable) verdict.
The deep well of artmaking remains the same in obscurity or fame. Still, it takes guts to step up to the plate of temporal rejection. There should be an over-the-counter salve for the stung egos of artists.
Actually, it feels odd to be judged for these pieces. It’s like being judged on the quality of your dreams.
The interweb lets me give a glimpse to you of these guys. I’ll let you know how it goes with Art Paths. Any words for me?
Saltworkstudio | Suzanne Edminster 
Courage! Jury selection is almost entirely random. If the darn fools don’t take you, you can join my cult of those who burn the entry fee as a ritual cleansing.
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Nothing gets the fearful ego going more than possible rejection! But in doing this post, I realized how much I like the pieces, and their significance to me. And in doing the application, I clarified my artist statement and updated my portfolio. That’s worth the price of (non?) admission.
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Brilliant in every way! With these paintings you’ve induced in me a delicious state of dreaminess I don’t want to wake up from. I’m sure I will want to quote your words, “Still, it takes guts to step up to the plate of temporal rejection. There should be an over-the-counter salve for the stung egos of artists.” next time I wait for jury results. Actually I don’t have long to wait since I just entered another juried show.
As one long time artist in “ART Path” you have my resounding vote!
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Yes, about that special balm: how about Ego-sporin? Thanks for your words of support, Susan.
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I love these pieces, Suzanne. And you know very well how much I understand the courage it takes to put one’s soul out there to strangers sitting in judgment in a scenario over which we have zero control. You’ve done the hard part–letting go–so now it’s just a matter of waiting (and continuing to let go of the outcome–so much easier to say than to do!) My fingers will be crossed for you….
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You’re quite right. Now I’ll go and take a long nap, and dream of the next paintings to reveal themselves.
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These are amazing, Suzanne. The judges may very well recognize this, as they should. But if they do not, they somehow have not yet been able to dive into the spaces where art meets primal consciousness, as you have here. It’s true, you’ve birthed these, that’s all you can do; now dream some more.
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That’s my job! Thanks, Ann. “Where art meets primal consciousness…”– that’s a good expression. Mind if I steal it?
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good luck suzanne…best to you lisa black
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Thanks, Lisa!
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I hope you know how many people love your work, and your sparkling self, whatever that random jury may think. Yes, it is hard to be judged on our dreams, our deeper expression of self, but we as artists just have to put it out there, express it, and know that some will make the connection, and some will not. Best of luck.
And why the thinly disguised name for Art Trails?
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Hi Caren. You have always remained true to your source. It is so right that we can make only our own work. I think you asked why I put “Art Paths” rather than the name of the open studio. A couple of reasons: my local readers will know what I mean, and I really mean no offense to the institution. Hope to see your work at Art at the Source or before. (We are using our Gardening by the Moon calender all the time these days.) Love from me.
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At the end of the art path is a spacious cave in which to show your work among the stalactites…
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Hey MooGoo the Rabbit, that’s the kind of metaphorical thinking I like.
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MooGoo the Rabbit knows of the deep caves of consciousness, unconsciousness and superconsciousness –where crystalline structures glow with an inner light. He is right, your beautiful portfolio of work would shine there…. Best of chance with the roulette-wheel of jurying….
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Very very beautiful. Similarities to French cave art, my favourite.
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Thanks, Joe! I find prehistoric art very evocative. Thanks for looking closely.
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