While Waiting

While I wait on the results on my submission to the local Openshow 2006, which I'll comment on in just a minute, I will dig into my harddrive for a post. This painting was done on my last portrait session a month or two ago. My son agreed to sit for us and played his gameboy while we painted. I first tried to get his relaxed manner, reclining and intent on what he was doing. However, to fit the whole thing in, I would have to give up his likeness for a more proportionate whole to fit on the canvas. After scraping down, I chose his face and honed in on his likeness. Despite his gaze downward (which really makes him look like he's asleep) the likeness was wife approved! :) ...with the added point that I aged him just a tad. With a good result, I like to do more and will likely try a full figure in relaxed mode and perhaps a portrait where his eyes are visible. Two future projects born out of one morning's worth of painting!

Now, about the show. On Friday, I went to openstudio to practice my landscape painting and picked up a form for my submission. The form was more simple than I first expected, so I had time to fill it out and returned that afternoon with my painting. Already submissions were pouring in by the dozens and what good one's too! Something to really shake my confidence! Yikes, so many good paintings, I think I have less of a chance of getting in...but, that's me talking. Shows are subjective to a point and I'm more excited about getting a chance to at least make an attempt than being worried about the results. A growing artist with certain goals inmind can't afford to fear or worry about these things, even if it seems natural to do so. As the saying goes, "you can't relish the destination without first making the journey" and fear can put an end to a journey quite easily. So, onward!