Failure , self worth and positivity

I think your work is superb.  Peter

It’s very difficult when yo get into a rut or become complacent, it happens to us all at some point , fortunately many get through it and unfortunately some don’t  recover the spark.  I pleased to hear that your working back up to taking part in competitions again Diana. I don’t do competitions as it’s not a thing I’m interested in but like everyone I had a so called wake up call , due to health reason , that inspired me to look at how I paint and make a few changes and  for the better I now notice . Hope your health is improving and you continue to produce your excellent work. 

I guess when you enter your work for competition you're setting yourself up for 'failure' as obviously the majority of entrants will be unsuccessful. I was struggling to draw or paint at the turn of the year and the thought of entering something for Patching's was not a consideration. I didn't enter last year either  as I didn't think anything I had done was good enough, self belief is quite fragile for us all I think. However I posted a painting on POL a few weeks ago, not because I was pleased with it but to illustrate how in my eyes, that painting over a used and ill prepared canvas could have a detrimental effect on the piece. To my surprise the comments I received from so many fellow artists were very positive. To cut to the chase, phew at last I hear you say,I entered it for TALP and it was accepted. I'm not quite sure what point I'm trying to make really  except that we 'artists' are never completely confident with our efforts and faith in oneself can easily dwindle. Entering competitions does not confirm or deny your worth as an artist regardless of outcome and so we carry on regardless.  Diana you are a wonderful artist and I look forward to seeing you posting again.

Diana, if we let all the knock backs in life get us down, we would never get up and walk. I really speak from experience here. With ongoing chronic ailments and knock backs from competitions. You brush it off because what is the alternative. With ongoing health conditions, we learn to adapt, change, cope and move forward. As for art, like the others have said, complacency really is a negative of life. We cannot grow from it. Keep positive, you are a fine artist, your skills are already there. Your disappointment at TALP this year, well, you are already turning this around into a period of positive reflection. Don't let your confidence lack, you know in your mind you are extremely capable of producing stunning and exquisite work, you just need to be getting on with it.

Well Diana, I agree with everything that’s been said. Self doubt is awful, you just have to listen to others when they say your art is of exceptional standard. I never say that without meaning it. I hope you push forward - it sounds as though you are doing - we’re all with you in our support.

I greatly admire your work Diana as I do all those artists who have already posted on this thread. I wasn't accepted this year either, after having one painting commended last year and one selected the previous year in the LP category.  I did feel a bit deflated and am trying not to let it knock my confidence, but I know I didnt have to enter. It isn't failure to not be selected, it just means the judges preferred other work. I wonder if the new Art Opps system made a difference, perhaps there were a lot more entries? I think the danger with entering competitions is that you try to paint what you think will be accepted and your work becomes too formulaic and consequently not enjoyable.  I did have a difficult year with family matters last year and painting time was limited. When I was able to paint it was difficult to get into the zone. This year feels different, things have settled down and I am free to explore my art again. I'm not sure which direction it will take me but I am just going to paint what I enjoy and see what happens.

Having seen your artwork & admired your skill Diana, all I can say is keep on painting your wonderful images, they are so inspirational.

I think your work is superb.  Peter

To touch on a previous comment made here…you could paint subjects that you think would appeal to the judges, but how would you know! I’ve only ever painted what interests or inspires me, either for competitions or in general. I couldn’t bring myself to paint a vase of flowers as an example, even if I thought it would sell… I’ve had two industrial type winter river/ boats landscapes accepted this year in TA category, totally unlike anything I’ve entered previously, and I’ve had awards for that previous stuff - so there’s no set preferences from the judges that I can see. Not that anyone is saying otherwise of course. It’s what grabs their attention and interest on the day I believe… so something that stands out from the others, which in fairness, is exactly what Diana’s work has always done in my opinion!