In Feburary I entered two pieces of my work into the BBC Wildlife Artist magazine International Artist of the year 2012 competition. I opened an e-mail from the magazine earlier this week expecting to read a well versed rejection letter like the one I recieived last year. I almost fell out of my chair when I read that a record 1120 entries were received and that my two pieces had been selected to advance to the final round of judging. 127 pieces were advanced. I should hear around the 24th of this month. I am honored to be in the final round for I know Many artists who have also advanced. Cathy Sheeter, Karen Neil, Katy Rewston, Cristina Penscue to name a few. I'm in awesome company.
I had a GREAT WEEKEND!
I spent the day Saturday at the Peoria Heights Art Fair and with art hanging in the Illinois Art League (IAL) Spring Membership Show 2012. I was pleased to learn that my "Autumn's Colors" recieved a Second Place ribbon in the "Not under Glass Semi-Pro category. I also had two other entries in the IAL show as well. This ribbon is my third ribbon in two years which advances me into the Proffessional Category next year. The Proffessional category has very many talented artists which means ribbons in my future just might be more rare. It was fun hanging out at the show and admiring all the beautiful work. There was one piece that I fell in love with, an Egret that was done by a Fantastic artist by the name of Rose Sullivan. Before the show I told her that it was my favorite, and when I attended the opening, I was thrilled to see that she had won 1st place in her category. I was supprised to find out that two of my entries had sold during the day on Saturday! Wa-hoo! The Art Fair was a good day, despite the fact that I overslept, forgot half of my artwork at home and it rained for about an hour at the start. I ran home and picked up the art that I had forgotten, rest assured THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN!!!! The clouds cleared up and the crowd came out to shop. At the end of the day, I had explained scratchboard to everyone who would listen, and sold a few more originals with a few prints as well. May 12th I will have a booth at the Peoria Heights Fine Arts Fair. Hopefully the weather will cooperate as well as it did last year. It's a one day affair and is on the same day as the Walk for the cure. I was able to meet several other artists last year and enjoyed talking with everyone who stopped by.
So if you are in the neighborhood, stop in and say hi! I hate to say this....But I'll be on VACATION for the next week and a half. OK I don't hate saying that! Needless to say I hope to have a GREAT time. The Family and I will be enjoying the warm 80 degree weather and the sandy beaches, not to mention an Adult Beverage or two....or maybe I wont even keep track of how many I have, in Mexico.
When we get back, I have a few days off from my real job and hope to get back to scratchin on a new bord. I have finished the wolf pup scratch bord and will be lookin' for something new to keep me occupied. I donated a pet portrait for my Daughter's Grade school last weekend and I was suprised to see that the bidding went as high as it did! The winner will be sending me the info and pics in the next week or so. When she does, I'll post some progress shots. I'm just glad that my art was able to bring in some extra funding for the school. I also picked up a couple future commissions as well. It was indeed a win win situation. Now....off to find my passport, sunblock........and oh yes....ASPRIN :) The ISSA website was updated today and it now displays the Signature Members. I now realize how lucky I am to be included in that group. Only a total of 9 artist were accepted as Signature Members. (as of today's date) I looked over all of their works, their websites and was amazed at the level of skill and talent that were there. CONGRATS to each of them!!!!
The ISSA's very first Signature Members: Lesley Barrett SSA Pam Boutillier SSA Judy Fairley SSA Hector Fernandez SSA Mimi Grant SSA Ann Ranlett SSA Martiena Richter SSA Tina Trites SSA I am not alone in this medium so to help advance this type of Artwork I thought I'd occasionally point out some of the "others" out there.
I thought I would start out with a Friend of mine, well actually, he's more like a Brother when it comes to artwork, that got me started in this medium. His name is Harold Farley. He is an "Active" Member in the ISSA. He is actually artwise, a MASTER. Harold suggested back in 2008 that I should give this medium a try and that I might like it. Well was he ever right! In that time, he has shared more than his tips, tricks and techniques with me an MANY MANY others. His willingness to help others grow and develop in this field is incredible. He has a way with words that make learning easy and enjoyable. His modesty is unparalleled. His artwork...well...I can only hope to achieve the level that he is perched upon. Enough words from me....go take a look for yourself! His artwork does all the talking.... Harold's Facebook Artwork In the middle of the night, (who hears Billy Joel's song right now? :) )
this fine evening, I recieved an e-mail that contained some excellent news. I applied for Signature Member status in the ISSA (International Society of Scratchboard Artists) and tonight I found out that I was accepted. What does this mean? To me A LOT! It simply states that, to others in the society, I have advanced scratchboard skills. It is TRULEY an honor for me. I now know that another Artist friend of mine was also accepted as a Signature member Lesley Barrett. If you get a chance...check out her works....FANTASTIC! She's on Facebook, just search for "Lesley Barrett Scratchboard Artist". or her site... www.lesleybarrett.weebly.com What I'm trying to say is.....I have Excellent company in the Signature Member level. |
AuthorI'm simply a Self taught artist just trying to do what I love. I hope you enjoy what ya see! Archives
October 2013
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