Oklahoma Friendly National Juried Show

Silver City Marshal, oil on canvas

I just got notified that I have work accepted into the National Juried Show, "Oklahoma Friendly 2011". Of the 782 paintings entered, only 20% were selected for the show. I entered 3 pieces and I don't know which painting(s) was accepted. I'll find out soon.

This year's show will be on display at IAO Gallery, 706 W. Sheridan in Oklahoma City. The opening party and celebration will include great Oklahoma music (Buffalofitz), and Oklahoma food (Big Truck Tacos), as well as outstanding National art

The show dates are March 18-April 9, 2011 with an opening reception on March 18th.

More info to follow as it becomes available.

Catching up - Work in Progress

Strawberry Reflections, oil on linen, 30 x 30
September was a crazy month with lots of deadlines. In fact this whole summer was that way. I have 4 paintings that I have set aside for various reasons and I'm trying to finish them up before I start anything new. The 4th set aside painting is really complicated so it may have to wait a bit longer before I tackle it again.

Tick Tock

Bladder Bag, Work In Progress, detail

I've just sarted the 5th painting that I need to have finished by the end of the month. The good news is that I should have one of the 5 today!

Always Read the Fine Print

One Eyed Jack, detail

Yikes! I have a juried show I want to enter. The deadline is Sept 13 and the entries must be Mailed. No problem. I had planned to send it priority mail tomorrow, Sept 7. Just reread the prospectus. All entries must be sent First Class Mail Only!!!! Will it make it on time? Tick Tock

Sunflowers - Work In Progress

Sunflowers, step 1, 30 x 20

I have several paintings started because I have several juried shows coming up. 

This is how I'm starting this painting. I have the drawing on the canvas and I'm blocking in the colors. This is a simple composition but complicated elements with stems going every which way so blocking in the basic colors really helps me sort things out.

Bosque Art Classic

Cowboy and Indians, oil on canvas, 18 x 24

I have been so busy painting! I'm hoping I can get a few hours at the easel this morning before I have to pack my paintings for the Bosque Art Classic in Clifton, TX. I entered 4 paintings in the show and had all four accepted.

Pet Peeve

No, that's my Pet Liam. Here's my pet peeve:

I just got an email from an artist that told me he won some awards the The ABST Exhibit. Well that's great BUT What the heck is the ABST exhibit? What does ABST stand for? Where is it? Is the show online? If not, is it close enough for me to see the show in person?

Don't make people guess at these things. The more you tell folks, the better it is. Right now I don't care that he won awards because I don't know anything about the show.

How to Choose a Right Juried Show

Ball Jar and Marbles, 9 x 12, oil on board selected for the Salon International exhibit

There are a lot of juried art shows out there. It's always frustrating to have your beautifully executed traditional painting rejected from a show and find that only 'avant garde' or abstracts were chosen. I like to minimize that chance by doing some research before entering a  show.

Lots of shows have the previous year's exhibit online. You can get an idea of the style of work that is accepted. Even when they change jurors each year they still usually stick with the same type of work. 

If the show isn't online, Google the name of the show and you should find artist's blog and websites that were accepted and perhaps won awards at the show. See what kind of work they do.

Being a representational painter, I also avoid shows where All Mediums are accepted. All mediums include fiber art, installation art, videos, etc. These shows usually only choose 'Cutting Edge'. Not right for me but it might be right for you.

Find out who the juror is. If they are the curator for a modern art museum and you do traditional work you may want to pass on that show. 

And my favorite way to find shows is to view a show online (like Salon International) and find the artists that do similar work to mine, look at their website or blog and see what other shows they enter. That can be time consuming but it's always pleasurable looking at good art.

Do you have any way that you like to choose shows?