WHY OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE IMPORTANT

                Take a moment to think about why you joined RFAA: you probably have a friend who is a member, or you wanted to take classes and workshops, or you needed a place to show and sell your work.  You might be new to art and want to meet other artists and make friends who love art as much as you do.  Whatever your reason for joining, RFAA seemed like an active, welcoming group with lots going on.  What you probably didn’t think about was the people who made all those activities and opportunities happen.  There are no paid professionals booking the workshops, manning the Gallery or hanging the paintings at venues.  No one gets paid to find the great guest speakers or organize the plein air painting days – we are an ALL VOLUNTEER organization!

                You might say, “that’s really great, but I’m just too busy to volunteer”, but the people who do volunteer are just as busy as you are, yet they can find a couple of hours here and there to lend a hand, and when they do, they really enjoy that time.  Maybe they volunteer with a friend, maybe they gallery sit ( it’s open studio time too) and get some help with a painting that isn’t quite working.  Maybe they arrange the flowers that make a reception look more beautiful.  Maybe they serve as officers.  Maybe they send out e-blasts to help keep everyone informed.  Regardless of how small their job, our volunteers make a HUGE difference.  They contribute to all that  RFAA does, not only for our members, but for the entire community.

                RFAA has been in existence for forty-six years.  Without our volunteers, RFAA would have just withered away and disappeared long ago.  Now it’s your turn – check the Newsletter for volunteer opportunities or ask a board member how you can help.  Sign up for whatever time you have to give and be a part of the team who make RFAA such a lively, active and fun organization.  YOU are important.

On Entering A Juried Show

               When we first realize that we want to draw or paint or make collages, our focus is on learning as many techniques as we can, on practicing and honing our skills.  Then one day a friend says, “Wow, that’s really good, you should enter it in a show.”  Being our own worst critics we modestly declare that it’s really not that good, and we need more practice, more classes, more time etc. etc.  But that little niggling voice keeps saying, “Maybe it is that good, maybe I should enter a show.”  So we screw up our courage and take the plunge.  First we find a show that isn’t juried, then another and another.  Our confidence builds and finally we decide it’s time to enter a juried show.  The work is finished, the frame looks great, we have visions of a first place ribbon hanging in our studio.  Unfortunately, the judge doesn’t share our enthusiasm.  The piece doesn’t get in.

                At first, you are devastated.  I knew it, I stink!  Why did I ever think I could be an artist.  But if you’re lucky someone more experienced will come along and tell you her story – about how many shows she entered before she finally got one accepted.  About how eventually almost all of her work was accepted and about how finally she won her first ribbon – only an honorable mention but it was a ribbon.  She will tell you not to allow any other person to make judgements about the value of your work – it has value because it is a part of you and who you are.  She will tell you that regardless of what criteria a judge uses, the bottom line is that selection is subjective.  What one judge rejects, another will love.  And, if you are wise you will take heart, keep making art and enter another show.  Your time will come.

Gearing Up for A Big Show

Prize-Winning Painting by  member Craig Ford

In our previous post we talked about Visual Impact as the number one criteria that impresses a judge but, there are many other qualities that go into a prize winning painting.
      As you prepare to enter our 4th Annual Juried Invitational Show:  People, Places and Thingamabobs, here are some thoughts to keep in mind:

• Does my painting show sound craftsmanship -- am I painting to the best of my ability?
• Is my subject creatively different -- does it stand out from the rest?
•  Does it  have artistic flair -- does my work have style and is it painterly?
• When the viewer gets up close -- is my surface personal and is it a joy to see what I've done with it?
• Does my work have gestural energy -- do I use a variety of brushstrokes and mark making?
• Have I given myself a "technical challenge" or have I stayed with what I know I can do well?

Responding to these concepts will not be easy but  they will certainly be worth the effort when your artworks are  selected by the judge and proudly on display.

The NUMBER ONE WAY to GET YOUR PAINTINGS NOTICED

If you talk to almost any art show judge and ask what criteria is most likely to draw his/her eye, chances are the response will be "the painting's VISUAL IMPACT".  As artists we have heard this term and read about it in lots of different places but we rarely hear how to create that impact in our paintings, collages and drawings.  Here are some suggestions to help you get your art noticed.