Thursday, April 21, 2011

Small Painting, Heading West


Polite Discourse, 8 x 6

Proving that you never know, the painting above was accepted into the 2011 National OPA Exhibit.  This year, I submitted 2 entries, feeling more confident about a larger, 24 x 24 piece, but this one was selected!  I think it might be the smallest painting in the entire show.  Devin Galleries in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, is hosting this year's Oil Painters of America National Exhibit, June 10th - July 9th; it's the 20th anniversary for the OPA National Exhibition honoring representational/traditional oil painting and painters.  I'm proud to be in the exhibit and to be a signature member of this organization.

Entering national shows is a nice resume enhancer, should an artwork be selected -- and, as Kevin MacPherson says, no one ever knows about your attempt should you not make it.  I submitted entries to OPA for 5 or 6 years before I had the first one accepted in 2006.  I don't paint for these shows (trying to create a "winner," or a "good painting," typically is not a way for me to succeed).   From available work, I usually pick one or two to submit which I think might have a chance.  Judging is by its very nature subjective, and what I think are sure bets often don't get the nod.   When it works, though, it's a nice thing!

12 comments:

  1. Congratulations! This is a beautiful painting! Your roses always leave me in awe. I like the blue reflection on the glass. Really great!

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  2. Congratulations and well-deserved Nancy. Dramatic.

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  3. Congratulations! Very nice painting.

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  4. Congrats Nancy! So excited for you and for the OPA to have one of your fabulous paintings! Very well deserved honor and will add a lot to the show!

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  5. Amazingly beautiful. Dramatic yet simple and elegant. I love everything about this and you packed a lot in a small format- fabulously done!

    Congratulations on getting in the 2011 National OPA exhibit. You are in high cotton friend:) Yay for you!!

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  6. Wonderful painting, Nancy and a well deserved honor to be juried into OPA!
    I really like the soft colors and edges of the flowers and pears against the rich background. Stunning combination.

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  7. Congratulations, Nancy! This little gem will add a lot to the show. It's lovely. - Dot Courson

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  8. Congratulations, this is a beautiful painting and the acceptance well deserved. Perhaps we'll meet in Coeur d'Alene :)

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  9. Congratulations Nancy...this is such a strong piece...it's no surprise it was juried in.

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  10. Congratulations, and well deserved! Yes, you never know about juries - other people sure don't see our art as we do! But this is lush and well executed - a sure thing if ever there was one!

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  11. Congratulations. The painting is lovely. Your white roses show such confident brushwork. I'm THRILLED to discover your blog and will be back again for sure.

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  12. Thanks to all for your positive comments -- they have been truly uplifting to me lately!

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