Firstly, a huge thank you to all of you who attended the opening day of my exhibition last Saturday - it was great to see you all, and an even bigger thank you if you bought a painting!
I just had notification of paintings accepted for the ROI (Royal Institute of Oil Painters) annual exhibition at the Mall Galleries....and this year I didn't get one accepted. Having got all 6 of my entries through the new preliminary digital selection stage, I was very hopeful of having perhaps 2 or 3 accepted in the final selection stage, but obviously nothing appealed to the selectors in the final analysis. I thought I must have missed my numbers on the selected paintings list, so scanned it several times, but no, definitely not even one in from the ones I submitted:
I felt really flat and disappointed to say the least, having had 3 accepted for the RSMA exhibition last month and previously having at least one accepted for the ROI in each of the last four years, winning two awards in 2009. I consoled myself by remembering that Pete 'The Street' Brown also had 6 straight rejections for the ING 'Discerning Eye' exhibition this year - unbelievable to me that a painter of his talent and stature in the art world should not have at least ONE accepted, so I shouldn't take it to heart - it's all very subjective.
My work sells well, so why should I be bothered, some might say. Well, that's true, but it's always great to be recognised and accepted (literally!) by one's peers. Anyway, it's time to stop feeling sorry for myself, dust myself off and go back to the drawing board, or at least the easel..............
I just had notification of paintings accepted for the ROI (Royal Institute of Oil Painters) annual exhibition at the Mall Galleries....and this year I didn't get one accepted. Having got all 6 of my entries through the new preliminary digital selection stage, I was very hopeful of having perhaps 2 or 3 accepted in the final selection stage, but obviously nothing appealed to the selectors in the final analysis. I thought I must have missed my numbers on the selected paintings list, so scanned it several times, but no, definitely not even one in from the ones I submitted:
I felt really flat and disappointed to say the least, having had 3 accepted for the RSMA exhibition last month and previously having at least one accepted for the ROI in each of the last four years, winning two awards in 2009. I consoled myself by remembering that Pete 'The Street' Brown also had 6 straight rejections for the ING 'Discerning Eye' exhibition this year - unbelievable to me that a painter of his talent and stature in the art world should not have at least ONE accepted, so I shouldn't take it to heart - it's all very subjective.
My work sells well, so why should I be bothered, some might say. Well, that's true, but it's always great to be recognised and accepted (literally!) by one's peers. Anyway, it's time to stop feeling sorry for myself, dust myself off and go back to the drawing board, or at least the easel..............
That, my friend is shocking! But, I have to say, it is very reassuring for us lesser mortals to know that someone with your mega talent suffers as we do! It also re-affirms that there would be no point my entering the London exhibitions. Better luck next year!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sharon! It is expensive at £12 entry per painting, plus the cost of getting them their and back, but have a go girl - you've done some excellent work and it might just be what they're looking for! It's always a thrill to have your work accepted in the most prestigious society exhibitions and see it hanging alongside some of the major names in art.
DeleteTheir loss!!
ReplyDeleteI felt much the same when my 2 wildlife pastels weren't accepted for NEWA this year (expensive and disappointing) but I will probably try again next year assuming I can get some work completed in time.
You certainly submitted an assortment .... I wonder what the successful works are like? I checked their website but can't find a Gallery page or examples
Hi Sue,
DeleteIt's a knock to the ego, but you just have to try again - don't give up! No works are ever shown on the website, disappointingly, but it's a good show to go and have a look at....not so good this year without my work, obviously......!
ReplyDeleteI would be gutted peter.
This sort of judging really puts me off.
Chin up mate.
Cheers Trevor - you can't keep me down for long! It's subjective of course, but my work doesn't fit in with what the selectors are looking for, but you've just got to keep trying...onwards and upwards. It's ironic really, that it has no reflection on whether your work sells or not, or on the awards dished out by the sponsors (I've won two), but the sponsors don't select any of the work to be exhibited.
DeleteNever mind, as the other lady said, their loss! I love the one with the corn bales at sunset, can't understand it either. Keep smiling!
ReplyDeleteFay
Thanks Fay, I'm smiling through gritted teeth...! Not reaslly, onwards and upwards - just got to try again next year.
DeletePeter, I truly feel for you. Your work is outstanding - the amount you sell is proof of that.
ReplyDeleteKnowing that you've taken many knocks in your life, I know this will be one more that you'll take on your chin & then get on with what you do best. Your time will come...
Terry
Thanks very much Terry, I shall! Back to the easel.....
DeleteAs others have said your work is outstanding and I think the judges should go to Specsavers. Saying that its smashing to have you back . Ve
ReplyDeleteHa ha, thanks Ve. It's frustrating, but you've just got to keep trying and produce what they ARE looking for. They tend to go for the looser work completed on site, so that's what they're going to get next year!
DeleteHi Peter.
ReplyDeleteObviously The selection committee want sacking. They are completely off their rocker not to select all of yours let alone not one. You are an oustanding Artist Peter. All the best mate.
Vi c.
Ah, thanks Vic, you're too kind! Your words are much appreciated. Just got to do more loose, plein air work, so that's what it shall be next year.
DeleteHi Peter, I'm SO sorry to hear that that happened to you. All I can say that the judges have to be the dumbest of people. Your work is stunning, mainly for me is the fact that you don't stick to one subject matter for your work - you truly can cover all things with your talent; still life, animals, nature in all it's gorgeousness, human beings, all sorts of things. We all know your talent, we see it every time you show us more of your work. Ignore them, 'they know nothing' obviously. You have an awesome talent Peter - I bet they don't!!! Keep on making us smile with your lovely nature and keep on inspiring people to try and be as good as you. They are faceless numpties; you are Peter Barker - ARTIST :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Deb, you're very kind. The selectors are all good painters in their own right, but my work doesn't fit in with their vision at the moment, but I shall offer something 'looser' next year - that's the general trend - for work completed on site. I shall rise like a Phoenix from the ashes of rejection......
DeleteSorry to hear your disappointing news Peter, but I must say it's a perfect example of why I have never, and have no intention to ever put my art in a competition. I've never ubderstood why I should pay money to be told my work is not good enough to be in _their_ show? For me, the only opinions that really count are those of people who are writing cheques.
ReplyDeleteAs for what you might submit in future ... be true to yourself. At the end of the day, you're the one that you have to sleep with.
Thanks for comments Kirk. I know what you mean, but disappointing as it is to get rejected, it's conversely a huge boost to the confidence when you DO get accepted and see your work hanging alongside the best.
DeleteI take on board what you say about being true to yourself, but I need topaint en plein air much more than I do and that should feed into the resultant efforts.
Peter you said it is great to be accepted by you peers, who said they are your peers?
ReplyDeleteThey're my peers alright Ray - some of the very best, and they know what they're talking about, so if I want to improve, I have to open my ears and take heed.
DeleteSorry Peter, I take on board what you are saying, but where do you go if you are already painting the best landscapes(in your style) that I know of.
ReplyDeleteThey should be seen in the Mall Galleries.
You're very kind Ray, but it's all relative. It's getting a bit more of 'me' in the paintings, more 'soul'.....
Delete