Sad news at Mystic...

[Lisa Ober]

Oh my! I love that story as it illustrates (pun intended) what an incredible master of all you really are. Double congratulations. The panel just had too much good stuff from you. They were dizzy with the choices.

I had something like this happen to me once upon a time. I thought I had lost weight after being on this huge diet---only to discover I hadn't really lost weight at all but I did get taller! I didn't get new pastels out of the deal but I was shocked.

Que bueno, friend! Enjoy those new pastels!

[Terri Ficenec]

Hey Jimmie--
For the record that drawing of yours is a powerful piece in its own right. Presumably the women who were chosen to jury the competition were qualified to do so. . . that they saw power in your work that was lost on the President... doesn't make the work itself any less powerful. Different people connect with different things. Regardless of his personal opinion, I think the president's remarks to you were out of line (not to mention less than gracious)! The reaction of the crowd at the opening is a poor guage... you were from out of town, an outsider, who knows what the relationships may have been among the other attendees there?

You should feel good about what a beautiful drawing it is and realize that it's not the medium, or the color, that gives impact to your work.

Congratulations on your win Jimmie!
(it's something to feel good about, not second guess. )

[Richard Huante]

Jimmie,

You're upset because you won with this? C'mon, now!!! No tengas lastima por nada! Don't be sorry for nuthin'!

The judges' decision is beyond your control, so there's no reason for feeling guilty. Trust me, it feels worse when you are on the other end of the stick. Besides, when a potential client sees this accomplishment on your resume', do you really think they'll dispute it?

Many artists (myself included) would be proud of this drawing and award. Ain't no shame in your game!

Sincerely,

[Sharon Knettell]

Jimmie,

I can't tell you how many times I have entered local shows only to be beaten out by 20 something RISD students. The last local show I was in I entered one of my pastels. I won second place to an amateurish drip of paint that must have taken an hour. Never again.

When those Unison pastels arrive like a rainbow from heaven, you will forget about this.

Sorry, I could not make the show, but I am still dealing with some health issues.

[Alexandra Tyng]

Jimmie,

I have to agree with Terri that these judges were chosen because they were qualified to judge. I have been to, and participated in, many competitions, and I notice that often the quieter, more subtle power get lost or ignored in favor of the bold, obvious power. Not that there's anything wrong with that kind of power, either. It's just that there seems to be a bias towards extroversion and against introversion.

It's a beautiful drawing, by the way. Don't apologize for your prize.

Alex

[Mary Reilly]

I like both the pastel and the drawing! I know you were disappointed that the pastel wasn't chosen, and the surprise result overshadowed the event for you. However, the drawing really is excellent and the expression on the drawing is captivating.
Congratulations.
Mary

[Linda Brandon]

I agree with what everyone has said here, Jimmie. These are both terrific pieces and you are a terrific artist. I'm really happy for you. Your work really speaks to people and you're getting recongnition for it, I think it's wonderful.

Besides, it'll probably all even out in the end. The next show you enter there will probably be something that you think is terrible that places ahead of you, and boy will that annoy you! Contests are capricious and incredibly subjective, just as Tom says.

[Garth Herrick]

Jimmie,

I want you to feel good. Really good. You are fully deserving of your best in show status with this drawing. In fact, if I had to choose one out of the two to keep, this drawing would surely be a keeper! It's that good, and more!

Congratulations!

Garth