Entering the Fray

A week ago Thursday something happened which test my faith and revealed my flesh - again.  I've mentioned before that one of my goals this year is to enter a show.  My idea was to get into one of the Art League's bi-monthly little shows in the basement area of the Quinlan.

One of my co-painter's had produced a lovely picture and some of the higher powers that be were admiring it.  They asked her if she was submitting it for consideration for a "big" show for the upstairs gallery.  The theme is "Memories" and her painting is a beautiful waterfall where her family has taken many a picnic.  Needless to say, we were all wowed at the suggestion. 

Now the current rules for show participation are that if a work is produced in a class it can't be considered for an upstairs show.  This is their way of not having student work that the teacher has touched and to have multiple copies of a stiff life - if the class functions that way.  Everything about the picture must be your own work and original content.  Nice rules - but - our class functions primarily as a studio - and our instructor does not touch our paintings unless he asks permission and we grant it or we ask him to.  Suffice it to say - he doesn't touch mine and I know for a fact that he had not touched my friend's painting - I watched her paint it.

Well - let's just say - she was able to submit her work for consideration.  Now I had to deal with my jealous flesh and struggle with some law issues.  After some prayer and asking for forgiveness for my attitude, I came to some peace with the situation.

My final decision was to work only on technique in the class and do my paintings at home.  That wayI could have some eligible paintings.  Today, I mentioned this to my teacher and he said that just wasn't right.

While I drove J to karate, my instructor went upstairs to talk to the powers that be.  He came down with two applications - one for me and one for another student.  I was shocked.  They had extended the deadline and I had until Friday to get a digital picture of my painting(s) done, burned on a cd, fill out the application, go to the postoffice for pouch to return cd, consider titles, price, and framing.  I just sat there stunned.  My instructor comes up to me and hisses, "The door was closed.  Now it's open - you'd best go through it."

One of the ladies in my class came over and told me to get my paintings (I had to drive home to gather a few up).  When I got back she took me across the street to her office and shot my pictures.  She's a professional photographer!  I know that this service can cost well up to $100.  I asked her how much I could give her - she said - nothing.

I don't care if my paintings get accepted - it is the care and love that was bestowed upon me that means everything to me.  I am stunned.