Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Where to show your paintings?

"Sweet Escape", Polymer on Canvas, 50x50 inches
Jerry Lebo, 2008


“I don’t paint pictures in hopes that people will understand them. They understand them, or not, according to their own capacity.”

--Pablo Picasso

Okay, so I decided to submit a couple of my recent large paintings to a regional juried exhibit up in Fredrick, Maryland. They wanted artists to submit the actual paintings, so it was a bit of a chore framing and then carrying three very large paintings (the largest was 50x60 inches) 30 miles to the venue. Now the good/bad news, I found out that they accepted one of the paintings (the one in my last post, “These five words…”)--but rejected the others, "Sweet Escape" (above), as well as "Dead Heroes", the painting I put up two posts back. You are probably thinking, hey, you should be happy. You got a painting into a juried show, right? Well, it gets better.

So I go up on Saturday to pick up the rejected paintings and haul them back to the studio--and when I get to the venue I find out that my artwork has been scattered around. One of the paintings is in a closet—with another painting leaning against it—which put a dent into the canvas. The other one is in an office, leaning against the wall behind a pile of other rejections. But, that wasn't the strangest part of it. The woman handing back the work had the "jury sheet" sitting there and was pleased to show me that the painting accepted into the show had a notation next to it...are you ready....it said, "Maybe, if we have room". There you go--critical acclaim if I have ever heard it! I weakly made the point of saying, well, my paintings are rather large--so I understand if there was limited room (hoping for a bit more a positive response), to which the woman replied, "Oh, we have paintings in the show bigger than yours." Thud. I tired again on the way out, “So have you given out awards yet.” You can guess the response—“Oh, yes, they are all given out.” So, I am in the show, but barely--and definitely not the rapturous experience one hopes for.

Okay, so what is an artist to do in when faced with such a situation? The short answer is brush it off. Get back in the studio as soon as possible and get painting again. I have seen artists send work to many galleries over the years, and most do not even get a polite rejection letter. Getting a form letter can be an achievement. With a juried exhibit, politeness is probably the best you can hope for. Even if you get your work into a group show or a gallery, you can expect that your work will be treated for what it is from a gallery perspective...a commodity—and I have heard of many cases where galleries have damaged work due to haphazard handling. Other artists are your worst enemy, as they tend to treat other artist's work with little regard (if they are not looking). I am serious. If you don't believe me, watch what happens when artists bring their work to a critique or for submission to a juried show--if no one is looking, other artist will not hesitate to move your work or treat it in a very haphazard way. I have seen it. To a gallery, you are just one in a long line of eager artist to get their work shown, so don't be surprised if a gallery generally acts like you're work is replaceable. At least until it sells for $50 grand or so--they tend to get more careful at that point.


I think my recent experience also shows some important points to take into account when you think about where and how to send your work out. First and foremost, it is important to find a gallery or event that is interested in work and represents similar artists and/or types of work. I wrote about this early in my blog. But it is worth repeating. If you are painting "cowboys and indians", don’t send your work to a New York gallery—you won’t garner much interest. However, the good news is that they may be very excited in Tuscon. In the end, you need to decide before sending out work if it is likely to appeal to a certain gallery or jurist. In my case, I think it was the fact that my paintings were so different from all the other painterly and more formal painting that was submitted to the show, that it simply did not fit with the show or what was running through the jurist's mind. You want a show that hangs well together--not necessarily to show every type or style submitted--even I can understand that.

Anyway, I thought I would share this experience, so you will be prepared. I know some of you are thinking about trying to break into galleries and submit your work to a show. If you are interested in reading more about how to better showcase your work and build your career as a visual artist, I will again recommend Cay Lang’s book, “Taking the Leap”. I have mentioned it several times in my blog, but it is a great book. I went back to reading it again after my recent experience, and I could quickly see some of the mistake I made in submitting work to the regional exhibit. First of all, as I previously mentioned, these types of modern, hard edge, “color space” paintings don’t really fit the style of the venue or the other art being shown there. So a tepid reception was probably inevitable. Second, I don’t think they together really represent a cohesive artistic statement yet—since they are still evolving in terms of style and technique. This is not to say they are bad paintings, they are perhaps not quite ready for full public exposure or it was not the right venue. Anyway, live and learn.

I hope you got something out of my experience that will help you build your career as an artist.

All the best, sixtyminutearist.

32 comments:

Barry Pike said...

Ouch. I really appreciate the way you shared the experience so transparently. You really did turn it into a learning experience, an opportunity to grow as an artist and as a person. Not easy to do.

As a musician, it reminded me of a couple of analogous experiences from my past. One, where I played guitar on a recording session and thought that I did a pretty good job. Then when the recording was released, it was obvious to me that what I was hearing was not what I played. All of my tracks had been replaced by someone else. And the new tracks sounded better.

But, as you point out, you brush it off, take what lessons you can from the experience, and move on.

Angela Fehr said...

Thanks for sharing your experience, Jerry. I'm still trying to decide whether I should go the juried show route - living where I do means that I'd be submitting art outside my region - making shipping is big expense. Does a doing well at a juried show bring further success? And it is rather a soul-draining experience when it goes poorly. Daniel Sroka has a good blog post about his experience as a juror, and how it changed his expectation of juried shows.

Holly Van Hart said...

I stumbled across your blog recently and love it. Thanks for sharing this latest experience. I've entered a few local exhibits, and know the lows and highs that can result. Stories abound about work that gets rejected from multiple shows, and then wins the top prize at another. Never give up!

Anonymous said...

I've missed you.

But I figured you were busy with life and everyting.

Sorry, but you get no sympathy from me about going a whole thirty miles. Hello?

You've just switched from oils to Acrylics, is my take. Get me if I am wrong. Acrylic painters go toward being Colorists.

Check out Bruce Docker(there), and
Robert Genn, (wayyy past 'there').

I am guessing that you have newly jumped into "Polymer', acrylic(no?) and are still using oil color theory.

"The Five Words in My Mind" works. "Sweet Escape" doesn't. The 'sky' color is... lacking. Try an over painting of an extreme blues compliment, is what I'd like to see.

Painting with melted marshmallow is not easy, I cannot do it. I am watercolor, oil, and going toward encaustic.

Please don't get hurt and insulted by my comments. Your work is very fine, and, like I said, I have missed you.

To be a painter, and to try to market one's own paintings is...I can only say, Hell. Painters are sensitive to colors and shapes and 'reality', and marketers are money-money-business. There's a Greek saying that is translated to:"Don't let the bastids get you down"

Keep painting and keep on keeping on. I'll miss you too much if you go quiet.

Melissa:
CoralReefPainter@blogspot

Kim VanDerHoek said...

Thank you for letting me learn from your experience! I must remember to wear my emotional armor the next time I enter a juried show. Since there are so many competitions coming this summer it was a good reminder. Thank you!

Connie said...

That was a sad experience, but I thought your post was inspiring. I have learned much from your experience, most of all that in spite of their rude and callous attitude toward your work, that you just keep on keeping on. Your work is quite strong in composition, color, and execution--you did not deserve that treatment!
Best wishes and thanks.

Rob Pitts said...

It'll probably be a couple of years before I'm ready to start the gallery hunt, but I will keep your experience in mind.

It's interesting, though, to see strong, confident work like yours being treated so indifferently. We're so passionate about our own work, it's sometimes hard to understand why others don't feel the same.

It's funny, when people act like my work is the greatest thing since sliced bread, I don't think much of it. But when they act unimpressed, that really gets under my skin. I mean, don't they know what we go through, the emotions involved in creating art, the ups and (often too many) downs? Hmm...of course they don't.

Oh, well, back to the studio.

Susan said...

Thanks for the comments on the juried show. I am currently working on artwork for an upcoming juried show. You always have informative, useful advice! I keep checking back with your site...there's just sooo much to know. I've been teaching art for years, but only randomly showing my own.

DhiRAj SinGh said...

Very true stuff!!

I carry my tuff-nut armor when taking my works to gallerists n curators... helps me keep my confidence.

Donna T said...

Thanks for sharing your experience with the show in Frederick. This was my third attempt and third rejection with this regional show. I took a quick peek at the paintings that were hung the other day and could not understand what it was about mine that made it not fit. I wish the juror had time to comment on each one but I know that isn't possible. Congratulations on getting in!

Celeste Jean said...

It's funny, isn't it. I get comments all the way from "that's ... different" to "love it, love it." I think alot of it is finding the right audience.

Kellie Marian Hill said...

well, since you're being so open and wonderful and able to share your experience... and since you were the one to say brush it off and keep going, I'm sure you have, and I admire it.

but if you need a cheering section, you've got one! I really love the balance and thoughtfullness your new work seems to have- and I'm mentally kicking that mean lady in the shins for putting a dent in your canvas and being so mean. *hug* love your blog- hope you post again soon!

Kellie Marian Hill said...

well, since you're being so open and wonderful and able to share your experience... and since you were the one to say brush it off and keep going, I'm sure you have, and I admire it.

but if you need a cheering section, you've got one! I really love the balance and thoughtfullness your new work seems to have- and I'm mentally kicking that mean lady in the shins for putting a dent in your canvas and being so mean. *hug* love your blog- hope you post again soon!

Delilah said...

Hi Jerry,

Just keep on keeping on. It has a lot to do with the show. I did a show recently and 2 of the 3 I entered got in. It was the same as you had to take and go and get in person. The only one I have sold so far was the one that didn't get into the show.Don't let judges be what your art is about.

Karen Appleton said...

Hey Jerry,
I keep checking to see a new post from you. I'm sure you are busy working on a huge painting. Hope so....your vision is unique...and that is hard to find this day and age.

Cheryl said...

What a soul destroying experience...but hey we recover and the true artists amongst us never give up. I am sure you won't.


I am 57 and have entered a wildlife gardening award scheme....a lifelong dream....seven years of continuous work on an acre of land....with no help from any other.....I get the results in the autumn....

I wish you every success with your beautiful artwork and I love the painting in this post.....

Anonymous said...

Way to stay positive. I just moved to CA from MD and can relate to indifference from jurists. My artwork is actually more traditional but your perspective helped me recognize the need to evaluate the type of show I am entering. Anyway hope that made sense. Thanks for posting.


Stacey Starley

FCP said...

I love that you take a negative and turn it into a positive with a healthy sense of humor. We have all felt the "thud" you referred to. I once read that what goes into a piece of art can be divided into three parts: first there's the artist's technical knowledge (drawing skills, experience, education, etc) and next is the passion and energy he/she brings to the canvas. The final third is entirely out of our hands and belongs to the viewer and what he/she sees in the work. That makes perfect sense to me and makes it easier to not take negative comments personally.
thanks for your thoughtful post,
Faye

Shady Gardener said...

Were you able to view the winning pieces? I wonder if someone might have had a "theme" in mind? Who knows.
Anyway, the worst part of the whole story, in my opinion, is the absolute disregard some people have for another person's possessions (and especially in this case, when it's original artwork owned by the artist himself!). I apologize on behalf of their insensitivity, but realize that it happens.

Kelley Carey MacDonald said...

I've had similar experiences - indifferent staff, judges who are into something 'else', wrecked canvases and smashed frames - "Oh, well, it happens..." Thanks for sharing - sometimes art is a lonely profession. And I, too, wondered - do you mean 'acrylics' when you say 'polymer'? And if so, why not just say 'acrylics'?

Jet Fisher said...

your recent color space paintings are really good, what a radical shift from your oils!

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Jenny said...

Just thought I'd say, being in the middle of a personal crisis over whether to continue painting and showing, I had determined to read either Cay Lang's book (which I bought two years ago), or Painters Keys (which I bought three years ago). I see "taking the leap" suggested here so I'm taking that as a cue for my reading material today. Thanks for going into detail and reliving it for us all.

Maurice Sampson said...

Thanks for sharing what you've gone through, I'm sort of on the breaking point of "needing" to start trying to "get noticed" as my girlfriend puts it. I don't think artistically I'm ready for any submissions yet, but I guess you gotta start somewhere right? I would really love a critique' if you're not too busy? Thanks, Maurice.

www.eyestimulus.blogspot.com

Paola said...

Good luck! And thanks for sharing your experiences. I just ordered Cay Lang's book... so I guess you must have convinced me here. :)

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