An amazing artist I know called Danny Riccio asked if I would come and help out the Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts 100th Annual Exhibition of which he is artistic director.
Danny Riccio and self portrait
Running around all day moving paintings and artwork might be called being a dog’s body, but for me it is great fun. Most importantly I get to listen in on the jurors as they talk about what gets in and what is rejected. That’s the biggie. Getting to listen to what is important in a Juried art show. Listen and learn baby, listen and learn. Coze one day I may be good enought to put into a big ol' show and I sure as hell want the inside track.
So you may ask what pearls of wisdom did I pick up?
1 I know it sound kinda obvious but - make good art then put it where people see it.
2 Framing matters. The painting/drawing may be amazing but if it is framed badly it won’t get in or win a prize. Make sure the frame or lack of frame compliments and enhances the picture. And make sure the hanging wire is STRONG AND SECURELY ATTACHED to the frame. (or you the give the dog’s body a coronary)
3 Title matters. Put some thought into the title of your work, make it relevant. It can be the first thing about your work that people read, and it is also the icing on the cake.(and make the differance between being placed and winning or nothing at all)
4 Sometimes the most amazing technically proficient pictures are so perfect that they lack soul. If a painting has soul, then sometimes soul trumps technique.
5 Remember that all judging is subjective not objective and a juror will draw on their own personal experiences and art knowledge however impartial they are, so don’t take it personally, they don’t hate you.
6 Have many art hats and wear them, but make sure that what you do you do the BEST.
7 Make art. Keep making art. Keep learning from making art. If you arnt making art, think about making art then make the stuff you were thinking about when you were thinking about making art. Coze there are lots of other artists out there and if you WANT to be an artist you have to WANT to be an artist.
8 Network. Talk to people. Talk to other artists. Talk to business people. Talk to curators. Talk to art directors. Sell yourself but not with a megaphone. It’s not like in the film ‘Field of Dreams’ where “if you build it they will come”. If you make art then open the door, people will not just flock in. Who you know is just as important as what you make. You have to be both promoter and artist.
So thats it. Some of it obvious, some of it not so and some of it beat yourself over the head with every day.
A.MUse
Ps - if you see a good idea, steal it and make it your own ;-)
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