Watercolor Society Annual show by literally

Last week I wrote about why it’s good to enter art shows. Here are some additional tips.
First of all, don’t paint for the judge. It’s in-authentic. Even if an award is received, you’ve learned nothing about yourself and your artistic path. In this time of copying and cheap rip-offs, I’d like to think we could at least be honest with ourselves.
Large paintings tend to do better than smaller, equally good pieces. I think it has something to do with surrounding the viewer or dominating the wall. I remember asking a juror about my piece and all she had to say was, “I didn’t realize it was so small.”
Don’t get worked up over rejection. It is the opinion of one juror at a particular moment in time. On another day, in another situation, you may have been accepted. The rejection may have had nothing to do with you. For example, if you’ve painted a sunflower and there have been 5 other sunflower paintings entered, and your entry was the last one up, the juror may have thought, “Too many sunflowers!” and out it goes.
Prepare for the show. I’ve heard many of the artists we work with say they are “painting for a show.” This means they are giving time, effort and their full attention to their entry.They want their entry to be a reflection of their best work at that particular time in their career. Additionally, mat and frame your piece nicely. How will someone else take it seriously if you don’t value it yourself?
Use your own resource materials. Last year an artist won the top award in the American Watercolor Society Annual show by literally copying a commercially available stock photograph. This is so sad in so many ways. The insecurity or complete ignorance that drove the artist to do that is unfathomable. The award has since been rescinded.
Shows are a reason to push yourself. Your best long range hope is to be yourself. Take a few risks. Work up your own unique combination of techniques, subject and presentation. Entry deadlines help us focus. If you’re nervous, start with a small local show. Give yourself the gift of time to prepare. One day, with enough insight and effort, an acceptance will arrive, made all the more sweet because it was honestly earned.