It’s time to get busy framing. I just learned that two of my works have been selected for the prestigious National League of American Pen Women (NLAPW) Biennial art exhibit. NLAPW is an organization of professional women artists, musicians, writers, and allied artists. The exhibit, held every other year, will be from April 1st – May 31st at the NLAPW national headquarters in Washington, D.C. in the historic “Pen Arts Building” off DuPont Circle.
That brings me to the question, “Have you ever wondered how artists decide which works to enter into juried competitions?” For me it’s always difficult and I suspect it’s the same for other artists. Sometimes it’s the latest work I’ve finished, other times it’s the topic of the exhibit. If I have a new series, I may test how well those works will be received by entering competitions. It’s my way of learning how they stack up against other works. Once in a while I research the juror. What kind of work does s/he create. Who influences him/her? After all, if I’m going to open my wallet and pay the entry fee, I want my art to be seen.
For this exhibit I was torn between entering two encaustic paintings or a painting and a photograph. For the NLAPW Biennial I know it is rare for an artist to have more than one work selected. In this case I’m convinced the juror thought she was looking at work by two different artists. Two different mediums, such different styles, even I wouldn’t think they were by the same person.
Flowers are distorted by being submerged in water.
Melting Ice Sheet, an encaustic mixed media painting.