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Message
Posted
I've seen these competitions coming up like everyone else I guess. I've never bothered entering competitions before the lockdown. Through boredom I think, I entered two poetry competitions, I can't remember which ones or what poems I sent but I think the closing dates are soon. I think, if I hear, fine if I don't, nothing lost. When I have noticed the open art competitions appearing, well, I'm thinking, should I try something but then I am thinking, 8 months of art experience isn't very much at all. I do spend many hour painting and learning as much as I can. Maybe 40 hours a week I paint for and other time spent trying to sketch and read. It might seen a lot but I've not done it before and seem really addicted to it now. So, I guess what I'm asking is, do many enter and do I lack enough experience. Would it be somehow, disrespectful to enter after painting for such a short period. I would be interested in people's thoughts. I wear my heart on my sleeve, you can tell, can't you.
Edited
by Painful Painter
Posted
I've never entered and never will but good luck to those who do. It seems to me that the results are always a lottery depending on the tastes and opinions of a few and rarely do I agree with the outcomes. Puts me in mind of the judges in cookery competitions - 'needs more seasoning' - but we all have our preferences - what is too much for one is not enough for another.
I'm also mindful of the step by step demos in the mags. Quite often I think 'why on earth did you go stage 4 - you've overworked it and made it too fiddly - why didn't you stop at stage 3?'
But I do recognise that many do enter these competitions and enjoy the process so if you want to do have a go. From what I've seen experience (or lack of it) isn't an issue.
Edited
by Michael Edwards
Posted
Having read Michael reply there is a lot that I agree with that says. I have never entered an art competition, like Michael I never will it’s something you do or don’t like to do. Yes it would be nice to have your work acknowledged with a win etc.
As to should you enter or not because of lack of experience, that for you only to decide.
Is it disrespectful to enter after only eight months painting, not at all , some of the paintings entered by more experienced artists are not that great, having seen your work it’s a good as some others. If it’s the thrill of entering then go for it the experience won’t do you any harm, and you will gain from it . Good luck if you do enter and I hope you gain much from the experience.
Posted
I have entered some competitions on line or art magazines, with some degree of dread and anticipation, with various degrees of success. As Paul commented other artists work seam to fall short of our expectations, and seem to win something or get a highly commended, so why not enter. It was a boost to the ego when one of my pencil pictures was displayed in a magazine. I treat it a bit like entering a local art and craft show, It nice to hear what people think of your work, and just treat it as fun, take the complements, and don't get frustrated if you don't win anything. Don't worry that you haven't been painting for any length of time as you are a competent artist.
Edited
by Alan Beresford
Posted
Denise, have a look at past award winning work for TALP Open competition, this will give you some idea of the standard and variety of work that gets selected.
In both The Artist and Leisure Painter categories the standard is very high generally.
I’ve been entering this competition for the last 5 years, and had a good deal of success, so I say definitely have a go!
I would suggest that you enter the Leisure Painter category, deadline of mid April is looming so make haste!
I’m currently working on some ideas which I will enter in The Artist category, it gives me something to focus on which is a positive for me!
Posted
Hi Denise, I’ve entered the TALP open competition, but alas I’ve never got to the winning post! However, I’ve sold my work at art/craft fairs, which I’ve really missed this year. I’ve also sold on a selling site, and off my Facebook site, and I’ve got one at the framers at the moment ready to go a new home. It hasn’t put me off entering.......you’ve got to be in it to win it I suppose, and it makes you think more......perhaps one day I’ll get to that elusive winning post.
Having said all that, my paintings are semi/abstract and abstract, which don’t always appeal to people. I feel it would be rather nice if the abstract painter had a little more recognition, but I’ll still enter again this year!
If you feel confident to enter Denise, then I say, yes, have a go. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been painting. Look at The Leisure Painter category, like Alan suggested.
Ellen
Posted
Hi Denise.
I say go for it! There's such a variety of work entered, like others have said, it's down to the judges taste at the end of the day.
I entered the Leisure Painter category for the first time last year, and won it.. 😱😀 (have to add that I literally fell off my chair when I found out!).
Posted
Thanks to everyone who gave me their thoughts. They have helped me very much and lots of good advice for me to think about. I have some idea's and a stock of hap hazard photographs I've taken over the years. I take pictures on my phone of the oddest things, for example, a flyover made of Italian concrete, was demolished in my city early this year. I took photo's of it's demolition every time I passed it because I thought it looked interesting. I'm not going to try and paint that, it would be to complicated for someone at my level. Also, do artist talk about their ideas they might have. For example, tomorrow, I will visit some florist shops. Ask politely, to take some pictures of their flowers. Ones that interest me, I will buy. I will do my own arrangement. By the way, I have never done a flower arrangement, ever but I have the vision there. There are a couple of things I wont get, so I will have to depend on imagination for that. When I worked in the NHS you would always share your ideas, I don't think that's how it quite works with art. If you had an idea in the NHS, people would run with them. So, what I really want to know is, if we have an idea for a competition piece, is it discussed or is it kept to ones self.