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Submitted by:
Kelly Powers Creative Catalyst Productions By Mike Bailey
For many years, even when encouraged
to do so by my peers, I avoided
entering watercolor society shows.
For what? To pay for a refusal? To
be embarrassed? Certainly not!
Listening to other artists talk
about being refused and their
rationales for not participating
made some sense. But, there were
those who kept saying that entry
into the shows or competitions would
be an aid to learning. I didn't
believe them. One sends in an image
with a check and then receives back
a refusal notice. How could anyone
learn from that process? There is no
feedback!
A few years ago (at least it seems
that way) after being badgered by
peers to enter I won my first award.
Even though I thought a big
“whoopee!” at the time, I decided to
go to the show opening and awards
banquet in order to receive the
award. An absolute shock awaited me
at the reception and show.
As an amateur painter for many
years, most of the other painters I
knew were continuously chatting
about the subject matter of
the award winners. Of course, if one
listened enough to that sort of
chatter, one would begin to believe
that jurors picked winners based on
subject matter and not based on the
art itself. The shock came when my
nose was pressed to the glass of all
the paintings at that big national
show. It was a stunning revelation.
It sure was NOT the subject matter
in the paintings. It was every
square inch of every painting in the
show. It was the overwhelming
design, content and technique of
every piece. It was the best
education I could ever have asked
for. I was witnessing the best
paintings in the country and it was
an overwhelming experience to
suddenly see why these paintings
were being acknowledged as the best.
Now, I have the distinct honor of
being the president of one of those
societies and have an entirely
different view of those shows, even
the local shows by local societies.
There is a reason for their
existence: to acknowledge good art
today and raise the quality of that
art tomorrow.
They do so by setting the example
for every artist to follow. They
hold up quality and encourage the
country’s artists to be
adventuresome and open new frontiers
in their art. New teachers come
forth as a result of being accepted
and awarded in these shows. Artist
enter better and better art every
year. Whether it be non objective,
loose, tight or realistic, the
quality advances. One cannot see it
overnight, but increment by
increment it really does happen. The
culture of watercolor painting (or
other media) gradually changes for
the better.
There is an opportunity here to
honor those who run local, state and
national organizations. I can assure
you it is no picnic to have the
responsibility and accountability
for the success of the organization
and/or the details of a big showing
of quality work. Few actually
consider that these organizations
are volunteers. Volunteers who are
selfless and who believe in the
mission of not only recognizing
artistic achievement but providing
the environment where achievement
means better quality year after
year. These people believe in the
value of art in our world and are
committed to have it not merely
exist but to have it flourish.
The next time a prospectus comes to
you in the mail, think about what
that prospectus is really doing. It
goes beyond the one show invitation.
It is inviting you to learn and
become more skilled at your art. It
is inviting you to join a group of
people that feel just as passionate
as you do.
.......
Mike Bailey is the president of the
National Watercolor Society and is a
nationally-known teacher. Mike
spends some 15 to 20 weeks per year
instructing groups from beginners to
advanced painters. To learn more
about Mike and to read his thoughts
on an array of art subject, visit
his excellent website
and blog.
