The Art of Rejection
It happens to be submission season for a few exhibition spaces. I am once again shaping up proposals. It’s no secret that chances are slim and typically I’ll get an email:
“Unfortunately, your proposal was not selected for exhibition during the coming year. The jury reviewed (lots of) proposals and out of this number had to choose work to fill (a very small number) of slots on the exhibition schedule. The members of the jury thank all those who submitted a proposal and hope that all those whose work was not selected will not be too discouraged. This was a very competitive process with a high number of submissions. A different jury, on another day, could easily have chosen a completely different selection of exhibitions. The jury hopes all the artists will continue working and submitting proposals in the future.”
Notwithstanding the odds, I invariably find the process rewarding because it adds clarity to my ideas and normally generates some new creative energy to fill gaps. Sometimes I springboard onto something else.
Also, and importantly, “You don’t get to be rejected, if you don’t play”.
Artists should never fear rejection!
Plein-air Wednesdays
An early start to plein-air, at times cool, has been fun. I’m planning a few more sorties, into May: Wednesdays, with Thursdays as a fall-back in case of rain.
Email david@davidkearn.com and we’ll keep you informed on meet-up details plus contingencies due to weather.
Up-to-date details and map: https://www.breakabrush.com/workshops/
Next event will be tomorrow at The Rockeries in Rockcliffe Park – 09:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m Thursday 27 April.
Join us!
#transcanadatrailpainting
This year we’re encouraging artists across the country to join in and create, themed on the Trans Canada Trail. The “2023 Trail Challenge” is gathering momentum!
Six of us are already posting our art on Instagram #transcanadatrailpainting. We’re working to swell that into a national movement! We’re hoping to foster connections between artist communities, encourage wider use of the Trail and raise the profile of this great national asset.
The region’s segment joins from from Wakefield and Gatineau Park in the north, threads it’s way south through the City of Gatineau then hugs the mighty Ottawa river shoreline past downtown Ottawa. At the west end, it bids goodbye to the river, striking out inland, ever westward: Bells Corners, Kanata, Stittsville, Carleton Place…the Trail continues.
Explore the Trail map: https://tctrail.ca/explore-the-map/
We invite you to post your art and experiences. Posts can be on (or a short walk from) the Trail, plein-air or studio endeavours, current work or perhaps memories of life-sustaining Trail experiences. Really, anything with a painting/connection to the Trail!
The Trans Canada Trail organization wholeheartedly cheers on this initiative – it fits right in with their priorities by encouraging wider use of the Trail.
Spread the word!
Young at Art
Young at Art is a professionally assessed art exhibition bringing the work of young visual artists to local art galleries. Held annually since 1996, Young at Art recognizes the creative efforts of young artists across Ottawa.
April 21 to May 22 Shenkman Arts Centre, 245 Centrum Boulevard, Ottawa, ON K1E 0A1 https://shenkmanarts.ca/en/trinity-art-gallery
Art Credo
Ottawa School of Art Garage Sale
The Colour of Shadow
Traditionally, painters dulled down shadow areas by taking out colour with the complement, darkening toward black in the same colour range. The Impressionists, seeking to maintain vibrancy, changed all that and moved to cooler versions of the in-light colour, essentially swinging around the colour wheel rather than going through the center towards black. So bright oranges become crimsons, purples and blues. Yellows move from green to blue to indigo. Try it when painting fresh spring colours!
Break-a-Brush!
David & France