I am proud of this piece. I love this view from the 6th Street Bridge because of all the types of lines that make up the bridge. Curved lines, thin, thick, nubby, etc. I titled this one: LINES & DESIGNS OF THE 6TH STREET BRIDGE. I even used a ruler on this drawing, which I don't usually do.
I am disappointed. For a few years now, I was brave enough to submit artwork for the possibility of showing in the Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts. Some years I've gotten in, some years I've won an award, and some years I've been rejected. Or in their terms...non-selected. But it feels more like rejection.
My mind knows that shows are like a collective artwork themselves. My mind knows that the juror is selecting a collection of pieces with a statement in mind. My mind knows that artwork is subjective. But heart feels my work wasn't good enough and I need to try harder...or more different...or better.
So the tug-of-war plays out between what I reason and what I feel.
What I know is that artwork is done by an individual for the purpose of exploring the medium and having something to say. Everyone's artwork has value. Everyone's artwork has a point of view. I created and submitted three pieces this year and none were accepted...or selected...but were rejected.
Sigh.
So, I take a breath, and tell myself what is true. I create art to for the enjoyment and challenge of it. I try to show or recreate something I see that is either intriguing, interesting, or beautiful. I create art for me, but I hope others find something in it that they see is intriguing, interesting, or beautiful in my work.
Artistically, my current focus is exploring the merger of line drawing and painting. I am energized by sketching because it is fast and more spontaneous and it says 'just enough' to make an impression. Making something highly rendered doesn’t entertain me anymore. I like seeing art that looks like there was exploration going on. I like lines and color and consider sketching as finished art, instead of a means to an end painting. But the fine art world doesn't tend to consider sketching as finished art, which is disappointing to me.
I have to remind myself that I am enough, and my artwork is my own statement. I need to worry less about external validation and to focus on exploring my own journey and see where it takes me.
I'm working on it.
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