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The Notion of Credentials
I have never, ever had a client who wondered or cared about whether I had ever won a big award.
However, several years ago, I realized that someone, sometime MIGHT care, so I developed a credentialing plan. I sought out venues and organizations I considered prestigious, mainly because artists I admire are part of them. So I chose carefully how and where I would submit entries, and it has worked out quite well (notwithstanding some very funny interactions).
Of course now that I have started this, I feel that I need to add something each year to my resume, which can be a little stressful....
I think that credentials matter to a higher extent in a number of different realms: teaching, public speaking, articles, books (I don't think I could have realized my contract without any credentials), yet even so, I think that clients relate to committing to commissions in one of two basic ways: first, they like your work; and/or second, their friends have hired you. In the latter regard, I feel that there may be a very strong "prestige" interaction ("I paid $25K for this painting, by X") I have seen it here.
So, I think that your credentials, how you pursue them, and how you utilize them are different for each painter, depending on the components that find their way into your career path.
It would be valuable if the SOG painters who have received the big awards, could describe how their careers have been impacted.
Regards, Chris
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