Tuesday 18 May 2010

My First Exhibition

I've never entered any work in an exhibition before. This is partly because I never seem to find out about exhibitions until it's too late but mainly because I've never felt my work good enough to show. Positive feedback through this blog and from visitors to my web site and forum have all helped me reach a stage where I feel I am ready to put some pieces in front of the viewing public. .


Here in Northampton we have an annual "Art in the Park" exhibition. It is hugely popular and artists come from all around. Some time ago I made some enquiries through our local council who run the event, and a very nice lady took my name and address. I hadn't expected to hear any more but, a couple of weeks ago, details of the exhibition and Entry forms landed on my door mat.

Due to budgetry constraints and renovation works at the venue, the size of the exhibition has had to be cut back this year. The organisers are going to try and take one painting from each entrant on a first-come-first-served basis. If there is any room left over after that, they will take a second piece again in order of arrival.

So, after much thought I have decided that "nothing ventured, nothing gained" and so last night I sat and completed the Entry forms. I'm far from certain about what I ought to exhibit but I finally decided to put in my pen drawing of Northampton as my first choice and my watercolour of Pateley Bridge as my reserve second choice. Now all I have to do is get the forms into the right hands before the closing date (Friday) and that is today's mission.

I do lack confidence in my work so I'm quite nervous about taking this step yet at the same time I'm quite excited about it. Can't wait ..... I think!!!

8 comments:

  1. Bravo Jon! Your work is excellent, your line drawing is wonderful and I really love that watercolor too. I completely agree with the nothing ventured, nothing gained. That's what I tell myself every time I enter a competition. But I know how you feel, I don't know of an artist who isn't a little unsure of their work. I think it's par for the course. Ah well, it makes us stronger I guess. Best of luck Jon!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Crystal, what a lovely comment, Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Best of luck John, and I hope you enjoy the whole experience.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks Keith. I know I'm going to want to be lurking there all the time trying to guage the public reactions. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great first choice John. People of Northampton will want to study this one, but the watercolour is really good too.
    Best of luck, I'm sure you will let us know how you got on.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks Frank. You're only just up the road so I hope you pop in. In fact I'm surprised you haven't entered something - you're work is so much better than mine.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I think you should feel totally confident! I love both pictures - my favourite one if I had to pick is the watercolour - but that's just because I like colour. Let us know how it goes and enjoy the whole thing. I bet once you have done it once there will be no stopping you!

    ReplyDelete
  8. LOL ... Sandra you may be right. I'm already wondering how I can find out about other exhibitions in the area.

    ReplyDelete

Your comments are very much appreciated and I value every one. Thank you