Entering artist competitions or contests

Sea glass Mixed media on panel 36” x 36”

I’m always tempted to enter art competitions or contests. Then I snap out of it. The fact is that there aren’t many national ones in Canada and the few that are international will surely be swamped with entries and my work will get lost in a mire of other people’s efforts. It’s like asking to be disappointed and feel bad about yourself. In the end, it’s not so much that I feel I don’t have a chance as, do I really care?

I remember an artist who advised artists in general not to enter competitions because it’s damaging to one’s confidence (unless you win, I assume). I certainly don’t need to feel belittled by losing out in a competion full of judges who’s work I don’t know well, or whose expertise come from disciplines far removed from painting. In the end, the only person I need to impress is myself. I’m my harshest critic and I think I have to be.

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