is it good to enter exhibitions and competitions

Stefan Maguran

I'd rather send that guy go to Bali to the cheap painters to teach him.

Tango · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 878 Location: Melbourne

Boris01 you could become a judge yourself

On the TV yesterday there was an item about another child prodigy who gets over a hundred thousand dollar$ for some rather kitsch paintings.

But this just points to the fact that life isn't fair or equitable , never was and never will be.

Stefan Maguran

Not to mention that during his life Van Gogh was Van who? and he never won any local show prize. Be true to yourself.
The other day there was an item in the media about some guy getting millions for some badly conserved carcasses.

marri · Joined: 28 Aug 2009 Posts: 58 Location: Western Australia

This "issue" about crappy amatures is like the song that never ends. I think the govenment should appoint a minimum standards board and define what is good and bad. Hitler did it so why can't we?

Of course its worth entering art if you want to.... its designed to be looked at after all.

Stefan Maguran

I don't usually blow my own horn, and this time it's not even mine. If you are in Adelaide go and have a look at the Outsiders Festival exhibitions and open galleries and you'll see what people without any concern for mandatory standards are doing. Absolutely magic, in my view.

Amandav · Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 1679 Location: Melbourne

There are literally hundreds, if not thousands of art contests covering all levels of experience, and the whole gamut of style and sensibility.

Avoid the ones you consider 'crappy' and any that don't fit with your own personal sensibililties and you might be a bit happier.

Boris01 · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 89 Location: Western Australia

the problem with that is that Im in Perth , there aint a whole lot to choose from

Stefan Maguran

Adelaide is similar to Perth, from what I gather, although some say Adelaide is the backwater of Australia.
If that's the case, organise your own.

marri · Joined: 28 Aug 2009 Posts: 58 Location: Western Australia

Oh come on Boris. Knock up some misty cows in a paddock and hit the all country competitions. Apparently one of Howard Taylor's great annoyances was having to ship stuff across the country and back again.

Boris01 · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 89 Location: Western Australia

Im trying desperately not to make a joke about knocking up cows in a paddock ...
what if I got caught !?
I suppose any publicity ....

sunfire · Joined: 01 Mar 2008 Posts: 994 Location: Toodyay

thecatsgrin · Joined: 18 Apr 2009 Posts: 1808 Location: Gippsland

I once suggested an exhibition titled 'the naked cow' ... I suspected alot of people would visit out of curiosity.
I do wonder what sort of naked they would expect!! Steak anyone??!

I really like entering competitions... I entered some 3 years ago. sold alot, won nothing, took 2 years break, and began again this year, so far I have sold 30 paintings through these shows, won a highly commended , and picked up gallery representation, which led to another 2 galleries showing my work....
All this however was done without a CV because I only just realised that you can put entered shows on it!! (Duh!!)
Next year I am planning bigger and better things... hopefully the art takes off further !
I dont live near the city, so travelling to enter things plays a big part in getting to the shows...
I have found them to be fantastic exposure, the other thing that has helped , is demonstrating your painting in public, It allows people to put a face to a name, and generates real interest in the work you are doing.

Good luck!!
P.S... at least this thread has an original take... doing cows as compared to sheep... Im sure thats been done! Laughing

Stefan Maguran

Wendy, your avatar looks more and more like Daniel's.
The naked cow would no doubt make the headlines!
Can I use it? Please?

thecatsgrin · Joined: 18 Apr 2009 Posts: 1808 Location: Gippsland

marri · Joined: 28 Aug 2009 Posts: 58 Location: Western Australia

I am off to a misty cow display this morning. I will look out for a boris take on the subject.