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Originally Posted by Joy Thomas
...... then my heart skipped a beat when I read that you had made it into National Portrait Gallery finals!...(so many mixed emotions and a flood of recent memories)
...you see...I'm still sad that my suggestions during the planning of that event were not heeded, having gone to great lengths to submit a proposal detailing how at least one part of the competition should include painting from life on location. Such competitons existed in the past and I assume the National Sculpture Society still conducts their annual sculpting competition in that manner, in fact....I actually served as photographer of that amazing sculpting competiton in 1994.
The proposal explained that the public would be educated and pulled into the passion of the process if at least some of the finalists were to take part in a "painting from life" competition, perhaps it could be in addition to the overall competition...there was some discussion of the idea, but ultimately they seemed to think the whole notion was old-fashioned. Alas, after they published the requirements, I entered and -- you guessed it---my painting was rejected...sniff!
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Dear Joy,
I am honored and humbled to learn more how you have been advocating and advising on these great competitions. Your idea certainly has merit. In fact at first I almost skipped entering the National Portrait Gallery competition thinking erroneously the submitted works were to have been entirely produced from live sittings. Obviously the criteria is broader than that. A live painting demonstration or competition would draw the public's interest, I would think. Perhaps this still should be persued. I've had some competition experience too:
As a student (painting major) at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, I entered the annual Stewardson Competition to sculpt a finished figure in an 18 hour window over three days. This competition is open to students from any school to participate. I was the only painter in the competition, and no one ever expected me to win. There was a muffled shock wave when I did! It certainly surprised me too. These competitions are so subjective and unpredictable. Unfortunately established egoes can get bruised in the competitive heat of the event process. I am glad to see PAFA is now co-sponsoring the National Sculpture Society Competition on a bi-annual basis. One gets 28 hours in this one!
It must have been exciting to be the photographer in the 1994 event! What was the atmosphere like? In a sense I bet competitors were learning and benefiting from each other's methodology. What a treat it must have been to circulate and weave throughout the competition with a documenting eye.
You know, even if several portrait painters were invited to paint at a live, documented event, it would have a competitive feel even if it weren't actually an official competition. It's just human nature. It would be valuable, educational and informative to the public that can attend and witness such an event, and I share with your thought it would have wide appeal. Perhaps you should continue to persue this possibility.
I am sorry you are not included among the semifinalists this year in the NPG competition. I guess this competition will cycle every three years for painters and sculptors, or something like that. I hope you fare much better in the next go around! I still have no idea who else is a semifinalist this year. When Artex picked up my painting last month, three other semifinalists were also in that truck, but under wraps and anonymity. One was quite huge, and another had the finest custom shipping case I have ever seen. Thanks sincerely for your kind and thoughtful wishes for Apotheoun! I appreciate the care and professional experience you contributed to the design and plan of this competition, even though it was not heeded entirely. I have been rejected from competitions I have planned, authored and chaired too. It leaves one with mixed emotions, but in the end Joy, you can be proud of the leadership role you played, whoever wins.
Best.
Garth
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