Saturday, July 17, 2010

LAST BUT NOT LEAST!


This is #3 in a series (so far there are 4).   I just received word it has been accepted into the National Watercolor Society show this year!  I am very excited as this is one of my favorite shows.  Last year I didn't make the cut.  There are never any guarantees with so many excellent painters in the country.  Plus, every judge has their own ideas and opinions.  This show has 3 judges.  Does that make it easier or harder to get in?   I had to order another giant packing box from AirFloat to ship it.  Definitely the down side to painting so big (40 x 40 framed!) I need another house just to store this stuff.  Too bad no one has invented an inflateable carton that is puncture proof, sort of a blow up bubble wrap thing.   I now have two boxes for this size painting, so I might as well keep making big, scary faces!

Tomorrow is the opening reception and awards ceremony for the California Watercolor Society. 2 PM at the Officer's Club in the Presidio.  What a gorgeous venue!!   If you are in the area, be sure and join in the celebration.  I am looking forward to seeing the show and excited to congratulate the winners. The first of this series is in the show.  Karen Frey, who I studied with for awhile, took top honors.  Her work is stand alone fabulous.  I wanted to learn to paint like Karen.  She, wisely, just helps you paint like you!  By the time I took a workshop with her where she taught her technique, I had moved beyond wanting to imitate someone else, no matter how incredible their work was.  It must be a natural progression in artistic development...first learn how to make it look like a photograph, then how to make it look like a famous painter and finally how to make it look uniquely yours.  Some people get stuck in the early stages and never move ahead to authenticity.  Someone said you need to be your best you because everyone else is already taken!  

20 comments:

Meera Rao said...

Congratulations!!! and this is one fantastic painting :)

Suzy Pal Powell said...

Congratulations! the painting is beautiful! such a deserving artist!!

Mary Paquet said...

Myrna, congratulations! You are receiving the honors and recognition that you deserve. This painting design must have been a real challenge to pull off -- how to integrate the quilt background with the portrait. Obviously you pulled it off superbly.

Wise comments about developing our own painting style.

Vicki Holdwick said...

Myrna,

Your 40 x 40 is fabulous. I sure wish I lived closer (I'm in Michigan) so I could go to the show.

Thanks so much for blogging - I love seeing you regularly.

xoxo

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Myrna! It's wonderful to see your works get into these shows. Festive!

Anonymous said...

congratulations Myrna. Your face has become your fortune!

Kathy

Cathy Hegman said...

Congratulations on being in NWS...that is just fantastic! HOpe you get a big award!!!

mary Crowell said...

congratulations, you are taking so many honors, just getting into these shows is quite the accomplishment. you deserve all the accolades you are receiving.

Billie Crain said...

Congrats, Myrna! 40 x 40...wow, this must have real presence on a wall. I love the quote, too..."everybody is already taken". I will definitely remember that one.

Unknown said...

Congratulations and that is an amazing watercolor. Phew. You're going to have fun.

Cynnie said...

Great news, great piece....and I love the blurb about the phases we all pass through till we finally find ourself......soooo true.

Magdalena said...

That is wonderful. Congratulations!
The eyes on this painting/artwork are deep, wise and calm.

Not a big scary face......

Michelle Himes said...

Wow! Congratulations again! I love this one!

Fernando Pena said...

Congratulations Myrna, you deserve to be included, the painting is fabulous.

Myrna Wacknov said...

I want to thank all of you for taking the time to post a comment with words of encouragement! I don't always respond individually but I appreciate all of you and admire your dedication to art.

jane Ferguson said...

Fantastic Myrna,went to see the cwa show today.You were looking wonderful as always.What an inspiration in dedication to a chosen image.Thanks for sharing you deserve all the reconition you get.

Elizabeth Seaver said...

I love that comment about being the best you because everyone else was already taken. What a great thing to remember!

Of course you were accepted. It is a premier piece, Myrna! Congratulations.

Janet Belich said...

Wonderful Myrna !!! LOVE this piece and well deserving to be in the NWS show !!! I really wish I could be there to see it.

RH Carpenter said...

Congratulations! This painting is wonderful and I'm glad it got the recognition it deserves. It is touch to compete on a national level, isn't it? I'd love to see this 40 x 40 in person!

Carol King said...

What an amazing and beautiful self-portrait. Congratulations on getting into the watercolor show. I wish I could see it in person.

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