Whew! It’s a wrap

Woebegone Art at Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts, June 2016
Woebegone Art at Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts, June 2016

I can’t believe it’s been a week since the festival end.

It was incredibly successful, and absolutely worthwhile endeavor. I’m very proud of myself for fulfilling a long-held dream, standing with my art well outside of my comfort zone, and interacting freely with everyone. It was exhausting but well, well worth it.

I’m just getting caught up, stocking available inventory online and once more making progress with my projects. I have many commissioned pieces, paintings and dolls, a potential newspaper feature, and new inroads in electronic marketing. All signs point towards it being a crazy, amazing summer.

 

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Signs

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A three feet by five feet banner that will hang outside my art festival booth

This week, I’ve been working on signage for my booth at the upcoming 2016 Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts. I’m trying to create a cohesive brand between my actual art and the look and feel of the booth. I’ve supported tech companies for their trade show and booth graphics on a large scale professionally, but I’ve never designed for myself in this regard. It’s been a challenging and interesting endeavor.

Here are three signs for inside of my booth, two of which describe process and one of which describes me:

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Facing the jury

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I am currently under scrutiny.

And the ironic thing is that I asked to be so. I have entered my dolls and oil paintings for consideration of entry into a prestigious local art festival. My application and portfolio is currently under jury review.

Applying for entry to this fine art festival has long been a goal of mine. My family is regularly in attendance, and I’ve always admired the outstanding art on display (and the artists brave enough to ambassador their work). And I would wonder, “Could I ever…?”

I am not a social person. I vastly prefer the sanctity of my insulated art studio to the chaotic world outside my window. And I have a hard time discussing my artwork: because I feel like I communicate honestly and sincerely through my work, it’s a difficult process to translate that in person; it oftentimes leaves me feeling bruised and vulnerable.

Plus I have a great fear of rejection. Perhaps the jury will think my work is not the right fit. Or, if I do get in, maybe no one will like my work. Maybe if I attempt to discuss my inspiration, a hole will open up in the ground and I will gratefully and graciously fall through it into realms unknown.

It is out of my hands
It is out of my hands

I mean, who knows. Anything can happen, and it can hurt (or not). But I took the important, brave, first step of putting it out there. I am willing to be scrutinized. I will stand with my art. I can face rejection. I dare to expose my neck.

I told myself I wouldn’t enter until I could accept a “no” without derailment. I’m proud that I was ready. And so I wait. But I hope it’s a “yes.”