You never know unless you try...

I was juried into the artist guild of "American Artists Professional League" This week!   I'm very honoured to have  made it in.  I was not sure they would, because it is based in traditional realism work.  I mostly work in wildlife, and while I think it is realism, not all people think that way.  This group is a branch of the Salmagundi Club in New York.  (http://www.americanartistsprofessionalleague.org/ ) They have been instrumental in raising artist paint composition standards and have championed the American artist for american projects so well, they have made it a fact of life.  The caliber of work of the members is a little imtimidating, but puts you on your best game.  Nothing like seeing the best to inspire a person to better themsleves.
So, as the saying goes..."Nothing ventured, nothing gained"  I would never have known what level my work is getting to unless I had tried.  So my advice to others would be, give it a try, and you may be surprised by what happens.  If not, well,  you tried, and that is more than many people do.
Till next time.

Cindy

Can't Believe I got it!!

Well another Art Without Borders Art Festival has come to an end for this year.  We had a good time and had good attendance to all of the venues, and given recent weather...Good weather!!   For my part, (I chair the Juried Art Show)  We had beautiful art work that drew a lot of  positive comments on the quality of the work on display.  The surprising part for me though, was that I won Best Of Show!  The picture at the left is my prize winner, called "Fall Hawthorn".  I was honoured and pleased about winning, but a tad uncomfortable.  I knew, and the jurors knew, it was on the up and up, but my being the chair and the one who fund raised the prize money; it just did not sit well with me to keep the money.  So I donated it back to the Festival Society.  I'm much happier now.  I also disqualified my work from people's choice, when I heard the comments about my entries. (It sounded like I would win that too, so I set about changing that by discouraging people from my pieces)  Never was a person so pleased to come 2nd and 3rd for an award with only one place! 
The winner of People's Choice Award was Jocelyn Duchek from Amisk Alberta, for her image "Evening Relections", and the Avalon Emerging Artitst Award went to Karen Pedersen of Edmonton Alberta, for her image "Shiny Things".  The images from the show are on the Festival Website at: http://www.artswithoutborders.ca/   Take a look at the wonderful art we had on display.  Now I can rest for a bit, then I'm getting ready for the summer Art tour I'm part of, and Organizer of; The Wildrose Trail which runs July 24, 25 and 26th from 10am until 8pm.  This is a self guided road trip tour of various area artisans and home industry.
Well, I'm off to sit in a COMFORTABLE chair and just relax.
Have a great evening all! Until next time.
Cindy
http://www.goldenkstudio.com/