Sometimes I get what I want - even when I don't want it

There are days when you think you're on top of your game.  Take the other day.  I'd submitted images to a juried show that I wanted to get  into - the Pacific Northwest Art Annual put on each year by the University of Oregon.  I was sure I was giving them exactly what they wanted. Marked the acceptance notification date on my calendar.  I had submitted three paintings which have been consistently getting good reviews - I really wanted it to be a shoe-in for at least one of them.

I had the highest hopes for this painting at the left.  It's titled Listening To The Stones.  Oil on panel,  16 x 16.  My process of painting - which began with the Elements Series - has been evolving over time into this landscape-influenced work.  I had looked at other paintings accepted in past years and thought - for sure - this one would make the cut.

I was so positive about having this painting already committed, that when the prospectus for the National Association of Women Artists came in the mail, I decided I had nothing else available that met the size restrictions. Last year, I missed the opportunity to exhibit in the annual show for the same reason - not having anything of sufficient quality in the right size to submit.  So I was determined not to put myself in the same position again this year.

But I was facing an uphill struggle.  I had no more 16 x 16 panels available, and with the image deadline just two and a half weeks away, there wasn't time to order in a new supply and still complete a painting . There was no other choice but to use what I had on hand. 

Most were too small, 12 x 12 panels, or too large, 24 x 24 (which would have met the size restriction but been too difficult to ship).  I had only one real option.  The 12 x 24 panels.  But how could I get inspired enough with that format to challenge myself to produce my best work ever?

So here I was - wanting both outcomes.  And time was running out. 

And then something happened.  I'm not sure how, but I think many artists have experienced those moments when inspiration comes in full form and your job is merely to produce what you've been given. 

This painting is called Rapture.  It is unlike anything I have ever done in terms of content. 

And, of course, just as I was finishing up the final details on this painting, the acceptance day came and passed without the expected "Congratulations" email. 

The point is, I was so sure that Listening to the Stones was committed - because that's what I wanted -  I had to produce something else.  If I'd thought anything less - maybe they won't like it, I'm not good enough - I probably would have adopted a "wait and see" attitude.  And - oh,  I know myself so well - when the University of Oregon didn't want my painting, I surely would have decided that it wasn't good enough for the NAWA either.  Who wants to embarrass themselves on a national level when it's more discrete to do it on a state level? 

Maybe we do get what we want, but we don't always realize at the time.  Perhaps circumstance conspires to put us in a position where we have no choice but to reach beyond our current expectations.  Either way, I know that this painting had opened a door for me: it's shown me a new direction.

Right now, I hear from so many artists who are struggling with the conflict between their expectations and our economic reality.  A friend recently asked, "How can I market my business when I have no money to market my business?"  But maybe it's simply getting what we want when we don't really know we want it: maybe the circumstances of "right now" are asking us to reach beyond our expectations and find out what else is out there.

So now I'm wondering...what else is out there?

I know that the font size can be a little small for a lot of us, so if you are using a PC, here's a tip:

While holding down the CTRL key, press the + key and this will enlarge the image on your computer screen.  Press the + as many times as you want to get the font to where it's comfortable to read.  Trying to change the font within the typepad post causes the post to be too long, space-wise, especially for those who view these posts in their readers. 

Comments

[Paulette]

Sue I just love Rapture!
It is like a combination of your styles.
I did some catch up reading and enjoyed hearing about the process you went through with Tangerine.

[sue smith]

thank you all - Vivien, JoAnn, Don & Dale - words from fellow artists I respect are so much more powerful than the opinions of those I do not know.

[Dale Lang]

wow...really love the new direction. very evocative and compelling. there is a very emotional aspect to it for me. thank you for going there.

[Donald Diddams]

Things often happen for a reason, but a reason we can't discern at the time. "Listening to the Stones" was committed forcing you to stretch for "Rapture". Now you have both fabulous paintings! I can't say I like one better than the other, but that bird there in Rapture gave me goosebumps when I spotted him.

[JoAnn Sanborn]

Both paintings are wonderful. The richly textured surfaces combined with delicate drawing add depth and richness. And don't worry about the rejections. Start a reject folder in case your head ever starts to swell and then move on. These are a couple of winners, for sure!

[vivien]

this is lovely

and it's a case of clouds and silver linings - it's certainly the silver lining :>)

and you may yet get an acceptance in the post, who knows.

[sue smith]

Katherine - smaller is less expensive to ship. I've learned that the hard way. For galleries, I would offer every size I had and hope that they would choose them all - well, almost all.

Leslie - thank you! At some point it's a question of how much abstraction can you get away with and still convey your imagery. I'm glad it's working.

[Leslie Avon Miller]

I really like this painting. I like the partial abstration, the texture, the colors.

[Katherine]

What a gorgeous painting your thinking pushed you to do! Funny I was thinking today that I should think bigger instead of smaller in regard to submitting my work. If galleries locally aren't interested maybe I should try Chicago!?