First Exhibition Submission - advice?

[ArtyHelen]

Hi all!

I have decided that it's time for me to try to get my work into an exhibition. So, I am currently finishing the final one of three pieces that I will submit to the Mall Galleries in London on Saturday. The exhibition is to do with The Royal Society of Portrait Painters. I am a pencil artist, and I am submitting two graphite 8" x 10"s and one coloured pencil 8" x 10".

I have a few questions:

1) What is a portrait? I know it sounds a bit of a silly question, but is there a standard definition? I'm a bit worried that two of my pieces may not be classed as 'portraits'...

2) The Gallery takes 45% commission if the works sell. Do I ADD this to my usual prices, or am I expected to sacrifice some profit for the honour of having them hung in the gallery?

3)How do I cope with the rejection if they don't get accepted?! http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/tongue.gif

Thanx for any answers, or any general advice about submitting to an exhibition for the first time!

Helen

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http://pencilartist.50megs.com

[ArtyHelen]

Tina, what wonderfully detailed information you've given me! Thank you SO much!

I read thru everything you wrote very carefully, and I seem to have done everything right so far! http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif I think the most wonderful piece of advice you gave me was, even if I get rejected, I've "...still done better than the hundreds of people who were too afraid to try." You're so right - I have to try this! Even though I'm terrified! http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

I'm glad you like my portrait of my uncle Jim. http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif It's one of my own favourites, too, but I don't own the original anymore, so I couldn't enter that one. I am entering another one of Jim though, and you can see how it's coming along in my topic in the Critiques forum. Another one I'm entering is <A HREF="http://pencilartist.50megs.com/nelljed.htm">here</A>. (Refresh the page if it doesn't load first time.) And there's one more, colour pencil, which I haven't put up at my site yet. I'll let you know when I have if you like!

I had a little peek at your site. I love your linocuts! I carve rubber stamps, and I would love to try this! Would love to hear from you about how to get started?!

Helen



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[timelady]

Advice from someone who has been rejected many many many times from the Mall Galleries! firstly, don't let it get to you. These competitions have a LOT of entries and they are judged by a panel of society members. So selections are often to the taste of those particular members - no way of avoiding it so just do your best and take the plunge.

Give it a go! Make sure you read the instructions carefully - wood frames, no metal. Keep the frame simple -odd, unique or dark frames can be rejected easily. Check if they want it strung for hanging or not, if not be sure to take out any screws or hooks in the back of the painting. You can get rejected just for not following an instruction. Make sure your work is signed on the front, this is preferable and some societies won't include un-signed works (even if signed on the back). Make sure you put on the tags and labels they give you (sometimes there's a string tag AND a label). Your price will *include* their commission. So whatever you list, that's what they'll put in the book. Also check the collection date for rejected works, because it's usually only ONE day and after that you pay storage fees and have to collect it from somewhere like New Cross.

Also, they usually take the work at the back of the building (check at the door, just in case). To go back, go to the small concreate area with the sculpture to the right of the gallery (if you're facing the gallery door from outside). Go up the staircase along the building to the left and around to the little street at the back. The submission areas is a few doors down on the left, downstairs. Best of luck!!!!

I think portraits are anything of people in general, though more often of a particular single or group... visit the National Portrait Gallery if you're unsure (just off Trafalgar Square, behind the National Gallery). There's pretty much a bit of everything! Their BP Portrait Award is always interesting too, should start late June. If you're interested in another competition (and can get to the Royal Academy by the 26th to pay entry fees and submit work by the 30th) then try the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.

Basically, these things are huge, so a lot of people get rejected. I wouldn't take it personally at ALL. You've still done better than the hundreds of people who were too afraid to try. http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif And it's always good experience just to go through the process and then visit the show afterwards. I plan on making my first entry to the Royal Society of Marine Painters this year. Oooh, exciting! I'm sure I'm entering something at the Mall Galleries this month, can't remember what though - oh, yes, the Laing exhibition of seascapes. So maybe I'll see you there!

Tina.

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http://www.tina-m.com

[timelady]

oh, there's sometimes a minimum price - usually about £70 for prints and £200 for paintings (that's the list price, so they'll take 45% of it). Be sure you give your work a decent price. Your work is lovely, I'd love to know which you're submitting! Your uncle Jim is my favourite. http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif

Tina.


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http://www.tina-m.com

[timelady]

Very nice. http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif Two questions: what do you use to carve rubber stamps? And where are you, in London? (so I can recommend an art shop). Carving lino is quite easy to start - you can buy small pieces of lino at most larger art shops and also a set of lino cutting tools, a bit of oil-based printing ink, a cheap roller, and paper (watercolour is fine) You can print by inking the lino, putting paper on top and rubbing! http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif Just like rubber stamping, really. You could probably get started for around £20. I buy huge rolls of lino and my paper from T H Lawrences online - www.lawrence.co.uk (http://www.lawrence.co.uk)

Tina.


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http://www.tina-m.com

[ArtyHelen]

Hi Tina!

Wow, what a great store that is! And they even do big blocks of rubber for carving - I've been ordering that from the States! So thanx for that URL!

I use Stanley knives for carving - is lino soft enough for the use of those? It sounds great fun!

I'm not in London, actually. I'm in Hampshire. So online stores are probably best for me if possible... That one you gave me seems to have everything I'd need to start??

Helen

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http://pencilartist.50megs.com

[arlene]

I see that it's for the Royal Society of Portrait Painters.

Are graphite and colored pencil acceptable?

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http://www.artdebut.com/arlene.htm

[ArtyHelen]

Yes Arlene! "Oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, and any other dry medium." http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif

Helen

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[ArtyHelen]

Oh, and there is also "The Prince Of Wales' Award for Portrait Drawing" to be won! http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif

Helen

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Visit me!
http://pencilartist.50megs.com

[timelady]

Yes, Lawrence's is like god's gift to artists! http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/biggrin.gif They used to have a London store but it's closed down - I could wander around the basement drooling over paper for hours (well, not literally, or they'd make me pay for it).

The tools for lino are more similar to woodcarving tools. Stanley knives wouldn't really hold up. It's worth buying a little starter set of lino tools for £5 or so.

If you fancy meeting up for a coffee the day you bring your work in, let me know. It's easy for me to get to the Mall area and there's a nice little cafe in the National Portrait Gallery. http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif

Tina.

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http://www.tina-m.com

[Modernica]

Helen,
Good luck! Regarding how you should deal with rejection, should your work not be accepted into this show. Remember that in fine art, a 1-2% acceptance rate is normal. That means that even if your work is of top notch professional quality (which I have no doubt it is), the until you've been rejected from 50-100 shows, you haven't even reached a likely "yes". It's hard to take it personally when you KNOW that most work is rejected, and that you must simply keep submitting it until you find that magical yes. Now, sometimes we get lucky -- I got into the first juried show I ever entered. Then I didn't get into another juried show for a year. It's not because of you; you've just got to keep trying.
Best of luck!

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Modernica

[CkA]

Tina,

I just have to comment that I find you to be a very cool person. Your attitude is outstanding and you are so generous with your help! Thanks!

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Cindy!!!

"Art is neither a profession nor a hobby. Art is a way of being." Frederick Franck

[timelady]

Thanks Cindy! http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif Well, I've been submitting to these competitions for about 3 years now, so it seems fair to pass on information. (the first time I went to the Mall I got lost trying to find the little back street! http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/biggrin.gif) Oh, and I haven't gotten in to any juried shows yet but that hasn't dissuaded me.

I figure posting here makes up for the three times a day I call my mentor with stupid questions... and bug the couple of "real" artists I know. heehee. Even though I'm not too far into my professional career yet, I've been lucky to have some really cool tutors and friends with great tips. Now if only I could learn to type all that information in less words... ramble ramble... Plus, I've gotten invaluable tips from the group here too! It's weird, I talk about wetcanvas like it's a bunch of people I actually know. http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif

Tina.

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http://www.tina-m.com

[ArtyHelen]

Well, I took my three submissions along! They were very friendly people, and we found it OK, with Tina's great instructions! http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif
Now I just have to wait for the dreaded envelope! http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

I agree with CkA that Tina is great! http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

I've now put the other piece that I submitted at my site. <A HREF="http://pencilartist.50megs.com/mark.htm">Here.</A>

Thanx again, Tina!

Helen


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http://pencilartist.50megs.com

[This message has been edited by ArtyHelen (edited March 27, 2001).]

[ArtyHelen]

Hi all

Got my answer today ... all three of my works were rejected! http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/frown.gif

Ah well! I'm entering another two exhibitions this year, so there! http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/tongue.gif

Helen

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Visit me!
http://pencilartist.50megs.com

[basia2]

Helen...sorry to hear that...but...still sooo many exhibitions in front of you.. http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif...basia

[timelady]

Well, I dropped off two piece at the Mall for the Laing art competition. So I'm eagerly awaiting my rejection form too. http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif I think maybe that stairway to the back street is cursed.

Tina.


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http://www.tina-m.com

[ArtyHelen]

Great way to look at it, basia! Thanx! http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif

Tina - LOL - you could be right! http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Good Luck in the competition! http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif

Helen

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Visit me!
http://pencilartist.50megs.com

[timelady]

Well, more to come Helen. http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif I got rejected from Laing too. Still waiting to hear from the Royal Academy, and dropping some stuff off at Westminster Hall for the United Society of Artists tomorrow. (that gallery is cursed for me too)

Tina.

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http://www.tina-m.com
&lt;BR&gt;May the Force be with You.

[journey342]

Oh Helen! I cannot believe the baby and grandmother one didn't make it... but when you said it was the mall... I had a sinking feeling.. NOT because your work isn't good but because they DO tend to focus on oil/acrylics etc. I have found that the "fine art" community seems to have a bias against graphite artists.. like most believe graphite to be a "means to and end" and not an "end" in itself...

I found your website by accident while doing a search on portrait artists websites and am so pleased that you are here in this community to "speak" to! There are several other artists here too who's websites I happened upon. I just love your work Helen.

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It is good to have an end to journey towards but in the end, all that matters is the Journey.