Last week I was tapped to jury an art show. Between
being honored and busy I decided it was a good idea to broaden my horizons and
put another notch in my belt. Not that I was getting fatter. It was more that
my doors needed widening cause my head was getting bigger. Then I started to
philosophically daydream, you know that stream of images where you are actually
looking up at yourself saying, “Wow!” Now take that awe and mix it with an
imaginative artist’s mind and you can make Joseph’s Technicolor Dream Coat look
like a windbreaker.
Now allow me to jump up on the awards platform to
share my genius idea and how I came to the conclusion that I should go green.
In a delusion of grandeur I decided that if they picked me to jury a show of 70
artists, I must hold something special in my keen artistic aesthetic. Then
self-doubt creeps in…what should I choose? How should the show look? Do they
want my aesthetic or is this some mediocre show where I'm supposed to give
everyone an award because they showed up. What if all the artists are waiting
in the next room and I am the one that decides it they will continue making
flat ill proportioned figures holding pet cats or send them packing to consider
another hobby like making macramé wine bottle holders. The pressure is on; my
ego and artistic merit is at stake.
I arrive at the designated location 10 minutes early
to compose myself and make sure my head fits out the car door. The rain
drizzles and builds upon the windshield. I watch as artists open their car
trunks, pull out their masterpieces and scramble to make the deadline. The
artists that disembark from their cars are of all ages and not to stereotype but an observation is
they are mostly women. The target on my big head just got bigger. The deadline
for entries approaches and I come to the conclusion that they chose me because
of my artistic vision, aesthetics and frequent genius moments. It's 11 o'clock
and I have been known to have my most genius moments at this time. So here it
comes. Not to be held at fault for insulting the elders, discouraging the pet
painters, the watercolor dabblers or oil mud makers but…I decide I'm going
green! Any painting that has green in it will be accepted. Damien Hirst look out,
I have placed the diamond encrusted skull to the side and have trumped you with
a conceptual piece that is bigger than your Tigershark and doesn't need
replacement. Plus, I'm so in touch with the cultural movement of going green.
It's 11:01 and I head in to change the art world. Luckily for me it is a double
door entrance!
The moral of the story is don't be disappointed if you
are rejected from a juried show. There may be no rhyme or reason. People have
bad days, outlandish thoughts and agendas. Be confident in your work and always
show confidence along with quality.
