When I was studying art in college, I often marveled at the ribbons, plaques and trophies my professor had won over his long career. He had made it a priority to regularly submit work to a variety of competitions, explaining to us that it was healthy for many reasons. It kept him motivated to produce new work that he hoped would be appreciated and accepted for display. His artwork could hang alongside other fine pieces, and an audience of potential collectors would see the exhibition. If he won a prize, he received recognition that could be helpful in many ways. He also could see how his work held up to others of a similar genre and, if it sometimes fell short, he would think about what might have been its perceived weaknesses by the judge or judges. Importantly, he said he never let either success or lack of success overly affect him. He looked at success as positive reinforcement and rejection as motivation to keep going, seeking new heights for his work. He quoted the Kipling line, “If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster. And treat those two impostors just the same.”
Richard Jolley, Camouflage, oil on linen, 27 x 30" (68 x 76 cm). Animals as the Subject, First Place.
One day, I was looking closely at his awards. One particular blue ribbon had a curious place of distinction on the wall. It was separated a bit from the others and had a slip of paper hanging next to it—a rejection slip. As the story goes, my professor had entered a piece in a notable competition. He received notice that it had not been accepted in the show. Several life events happened, and he forgot to go and collect the piece. A year passed, and he received a call that he’d won “Best of Show” in the same competition. The problem was, he hadn’t entered that year! As it turns out, the piece had remained in storage, uncollected, and somehow got included in the crop of pieces submitted the following year. The judge had awarded it the top prize! The same piece that had been rejected from even being included in the show the year before! What a lesson. The work hadn’t changed, but the judge and the other works in the show that year had changed.
Sherrie McGraw, Spanish Santo with Grapes and Leaves, oil, 20 x 16" (50 x 40 cm). Still Life, First Place.
Dana Hawk, Fighter, oil and copper leaf on panel, 24 x 18” (60 x 45 cm). Outside the Box, First Place.
I have also made it a practice to enter juried shows throughout my career, and I have been both accepted and rejected many times. I once had a large piece that made it through the first round of judging for a competition in the UK. For the next round, I had to send the piece to be judged in person. Of the hundreds of works digitally submitted, they had requested to see about 75 works in person. However, only about 50 would make it into the exhibit. After much effort and expense, I successfully got my large painting to England and delivered in person to the judging. Later I found out it was one of the pieces that would not make it into the show. I packed it back up, and across the sea it returned. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!
A life-changing prize for me was winning the Portrait Society’s The International portrait competition in 2001. The prestige of the prize, along with the press, brought recognition to my work on a level I’d never known before. My career has never been the same since, in the best possible way!
Carla Paine, Girl Seated in a Rocking Chair, oil on linen, 34 x 24" (86 x 60 cm). Non-Commissioned Portrait, First Place
Ned Bittinger, Judge Thomas Catliota, oil on linen, 40 x 32" (101 x 81 cm). Commissioned Portrait, First Place.
Each year, the Portrait Society holds a number of competitions. Artists from all over the world enter. Judges take a great deal of time away from their studios to carefully review the submissions and award numerous prizes for exceptional work. The Society also reaches out to each and every artist who may not have received a prize by writing them to give insight into the judge’s selection process and, importantly, to encourage them to continue in their pursuit of growth as artists.
Please enjoy these recent winners of the Members Only Competition. Each piece is an exceptional work of art. I know you feel as I do, that seeing these gives me such inspiration to get back to work and aspire to be the best I can possibly be.
Sincerely,
Michael Shane Neal
Chairman