Are Juried Art Shows Good for Artists? Pros and Cons of Entering Your Art in Competitions
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- čas přidán 27. 08. 2024
- Should you enter your art in competitions? What should you do if your art is rejected, or never wins an award? Do art shows really tells your art is good or bad?
I have a love/hate relationship with art competitions and juried shows. They offer exposure for artists, but is it the right kind of exposure? Is it really worth the cost and effort?
Can you succeed as an artist and yet never win an award?
How do you handle feelings of rejection after you are not chosen for yet another art show, or if you enter regularly and never win a prize?
I've been entering my art in shows for decades, and I have some insights to share. Some of them I am just learning now, but I want to encourage you today wherever you are at. There's more to this than you think!
I entered my very first juried art contest this week and submitted three works. Two were what I considered some of the best pieces I have done. As a test, I submitted a third piece which was one I had created when I first began painting and I thought to be sub-par based on my current skill level. A friend of mine liked the third piece however and said he thought it would do well. I disagreed and thought it would never get chosen. To my amazement, it was the only one chosen. I created a Facebook poll asking my followers which of the three pieces they liked the most. The one chosen for the competion was the one that got the least amount of votes, by a large margin, so that validated my opinion of the three. When I inquired why that one piece was chosen for the competition, the answer I got was, "The piece seemed to fit nicely within the groupings of what was submitted". So, based on what everyone else submitted, he selected the piece that was sub-par consistent to other sub-par pieces? I don't even understand what his answer means. Not to be harsh or hurt anyone's feelings, but some of the pieces that won in the contest I never would have chosen. I saw a few pieces that were superb and I was sure would win, that did not. So, a few things I have concluded from entering any sort of competions.
1. Don't ever submit anything that you are not 100% happy with because it may be chosen. Don't rely on what a friend thinks you should submit.
2. If it's a competition in a small space, don't submit more than one piece. You are more than likely throwing your money away. ( unless you want to consider it a donation to the gallery )
3. Don't assume the judge of the competition is going to choose what the majority may think are the best pieces in the room. It's a personal choice based on their opinions.
4. If you are proned to getting your feelings hurt, entering a competion may not be the best course of action for you.
I am doing well with my art and have sold quite a few pieces in the short amount of time I have been creating. Personally, I doubt I will ever enter a juried competion again.
Moving on.......
Thanks Angela for discussing this topic. I constantly see artists around me creating works and beating themselves up b/c some aspect of their piece doesn't look like the picture they are referencing. While I can appreciate the time and talent it takes for many of these pieces, I don't find my self getting inspired by these works. In these times when everyone carries a camera on their person, the last thing I want from art is for it to look exactly like the picture. That is what the picture is for.
It's very freeing to be able to paint what you want, as opposed to what you see! I have learned to love my work more by letting go of my mental death grip on the photo!
I don’t t enter competitions or juried shows. ‘Never have, and I’ve been an exhibiting, selling artist for five decades. Of all things in the world to judge, art shouldn’t be one. Awards/prize money should take a back seat to having a career “take off.” Your worth as an artist shouldn’t hinge on someone’s opinion of your work.
Agreed! I find that my art has become stronger when I balance the art that satisfies me with my desire to grow in skill and execution.
I’ve just found your channel and I’m looking through your catalogue of videos. I’m finding your topics so interesting. I’ve been painting for less than a year so I’m still at the stage of mastering techniques and painting what I see but starting to notice what excites and interests me and think about how I may want to interpret what I’m seeing. I look at a lot of watercolour artists and watch a lot of tutorials with very varied styles and subject matter and really, I enjoy and appreciate them all. You’re so right, it really is about being your own favourite artist. I really dislike this notion of comparisons. By the way, I find I don’t really need to know what the artist’s intention was when they created a piece of art, my response is really visceral. Some of your art just makes my heart sing. I’d call that success. I’d love it if some of my art inspired that response.
Personally I think competitions are quite soul destroying and I decided it wasn't for me because I am too sensitive and don't take rejection well, lol! I do like hanging my artworks in exhibitions though, just not when it's all about prize money. Interesting topic! 💜
You are wise to know what you can handle. One thing that is important to realize is that you CAN be successful without winning awards, many artists think that competitions are their only option.
It's waaayyyy too early for me to even consider entering anything, as I only started painting just under 2 years ago. However, I don't think I would anyway. A clever lady that I follow on Instagram told me one day that I should not ask for people's opinion on whether my art is good, or not. She said, art is such a subjective thing that some people will love something, but others will hate it. And it's very true. It seems that every time I love something I have created, I hardly get any comments, yet things I post just because I am documenting my journey, those things get lots of likes. I found the same with my photography. I have won several prizes, and have had photos in Canadian magazines, but I have never won with the photos I thought I had a real chance with.
It's so fascinating the way others see our work - sometimes I gain a new appreciation of a painting that I thought was "so-so" because someone else saw beauty in it.
Hey Angela. Thank you for this. I would LOVE to see you talk about some of your abstract pieces and what you were feeling or trying to express. I am staying tuned for more.
I like this idea! thank you!
Angela, I have never entered a competition with my art. Truth is that I am rarely sure that my paintings are good enough to sell. Recently I had my own show without competition from other artists and I felt terrific when visitors expressed admiration for my work. I even sold several of them, mostly to relatives:) I love watercolour and your loose style of painting but I still want to master composition that catches the eye of the viewer. If you are ever in Southern Ontario I will definitely attend your workshop and of course I will keep on learning from you online.
I just entered into a competition. $5 to enter a painting and no fees. I have absolutely no expectations and don't care if I win or lose. It's probably my 1st and last time doing it so it's just for fun and the experience. I get to submit an artist bio and artist statement for the piece I enter.
Thank you for your positive prospective to continue on in each one's watercolour journey. Your excitement always encourages my heart to keep exploring each day and that each time I pick up my brush is an adventure. Your gift for teaching reaches hearts and touches souls which blesses our world. Thank you.
Thank you so much for this lovey comment!
This is such a good topic to think about. I enter shows and have won some prizes, but, of course most of the time I do not win. I find shows fun and exciting, but would never spend too much money entering one. In one area that I exhibit sometimes the preponderance of winners are abstract artists. Sounds a little different than some of the comments here. Love your enthusiasm Angela -- you always give me a boost.
Wish I was good enough to have these problems 🤭. I am always taking your advice to paint for me, friends and family are supportive but it would be nice to be good enough to get praise. 😀 Good luck.
Many thanks for this kind and beautiful guidance, encouragement !! It helped me very much!!
Excellent - and encouraging - advice. Thank you.
I have entered a few juried art shows, very few. It can be very intimidating! However, I feel like I won the prize if my art is art is in the show.
That's a great way to view it! I love the opportunity to share in community with other artists, and that is a definite plus for the shows that I am able to attend in person.
Have faith in u its not all abt reward its abt ur feeling with ur work
I agree!
Thank you! ❤
Thank you so much - you are a consistant voice of encouragement.
Thank you for your talk. As a photographer, I've entered many comps, was rejected many times, was chosen many times too. Never sold anything at shows.....well except one time. ( which was by a famous Quebec actress which pleased me to no end!). I had a few solo exhibitions too. Many compliments but rarely sold anything. I'm disgressing here. What I've learned from them is that the judge might I've "chosen" my work on another day, in another mood. So, what's good is all very relative. It's to be taken with a grain of salt. Like you said so well, you're the most important person. You have to become your own favorite artist. It would be nice to sell, it's so expensive! Lately, for the first time, I entered a watercolour in a woman-only annual comp & my work was chosen! It's only art by women, different kind, like patchwork, jewelry, oil, acrylic,. etc. Pricing is also very difficult. It's also relative to where you intend to sell it. In my small town, I can't price it high but if it was somewhere like Montreal, Toronto or even NY or Paris or London, I would triple the price. A jewellery making friend was not selling but as soon as he put his prices sky high, he sold! But that another topic.
MY WORK OF ART IS THE INNER REFLECTION OF MY BEING, MY PERSONALITY AND VISIONS. I'M SO MUCH IN LOVE WITH MY PAINTINGS. I PUT MY WHOLE EMOTIONS TOTALLY IN IT. EVERY TIME I HAVE COMPLETED MY PAINTING , I FELT OVERJOYED AND FULFILLED EVERY TIME I LOOK DEEPER INTO MY ARTS. I JUST DON'T WANT TO BE JUDGED, AND I JUST DON'T WANT TO JOIN IN ANY COMPETITION AT THE MOMENT. MY PERSONAL POINT OF VIEW, EACH ARTIST WORK IS A KIND OF UNIQUE, AND WE JUST CAN'T COMPARE IT TO ANY BODY'S WORK. IT'S JUST LIKE A PERSON BEING UNIQUE AND SO WITH THAT PERSON'S ART
IT'S JUST ABSOLUTELY INCOMPARABLE IN EVERY WAY. I AM A SELF CRITIC PERSON AND ALSO WELCOME OTHER PEOPLE 'S CONSTRUCTIVE CRITIZISM. NO BODY IS PERFECT, BUT EACH OF US IS UNIQUE WITH A PERSONALIZED TASTE.
Great insights!
We can learn a lot from participating in these events! So often they inspire me to be braver.
This was timely, Angela, because I’m in a transition from representational loose work to abstract. A spring show coming up in my watercolor society is being judged by a photo realist. I’m not sure whether to put out the money for framing, entry fee, etc., the points you talked about resonated clearly. I have signature status but have never received an award, and I feel deflated each time even though I know I shouldn’t.
I am in a similar position - often the work that wins is a style that is easier to judge based on technique. I believe we have to be courageous to educate by continuing to show up with our most authentic work. Even if we enter for years without winning, we are contributing to the conversation and putting our work in the world will make it easier for those who come after.
Aren't most judges an artist themselves? Nothing will be better than their friends art. And everyone else has their own preferences.
Excellent talk. Very much agree.
Very well said. I agree with you.
Fearless and courageous!
The coloured pencil 'community' is very hard to get noticed in. All the same artists are featured and all they want is animals, portraits, nature or 'pretty'. They won't entertain anything edgy or different.
I heartily agree with this! It's like there is no scope to be different at all. Coloured pencil art must be hyperrealistic, and rendered in the same "looks exactly like the reference photo" manner. It does my head in!
This is so interesting to know! I think as artists who are different than the "usual" we get to be the trailblazers. Our willingness to share our art even when no one sees in it what we see is such an important thing if we want to see "the system" grow and change.
I finally picked up the paint brush 5 weeks ago. I'm having a blast. I do find that I'm critical. I think that because I don't have any sketching, art training i.e., what does something look like in the foreground versus the background, also scale. Scale is a big problem. I did a sketch and as I started painting and was contemplating the mountains in the back I realized that the cabin is too big and I cannot change it that I know of. Thank you for your videos ♥♥♥
You are experiencing the learning cycle in action! The key is to not get discouraged as you grow to each skill level, sometimes it can feel like setbacks but ALL brush miles do lead to growth and you are on the right track! I'd say more but I have SO MANY articles and lessons on the topic on my site and this channel - best wishes to you!
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Could you plase speak a little slower?
There is a setting on your screen for either speeding up or slowing down the narration. It is one of the best settings that I use constantly, mostly though to speed up. Hope this may help you.
My gallery sells my work and that’s a win for me
It’s redundant especially when the judges know the artist and the work they get chosen.BS ALL THE WAY and has zero to do with quality! It’s favors😢
It NEVER TRANSLATES TO SUCCESS