Selecting Work

Right: "Meltdown", oil., 9"x12". Amy Evans

Spring is always a busy time for me. Art shows begin to happen and I have to make decisions as to what I want to send to be juried, or to exhibit.


It is always difficult to make the final cut. The first thing that attracts me to one of the pieces I love is its memory. That doesn't always make it a great painting, but I have an emotional attachment to it anyway.

I have the hard task of trying to overlook the emotional side and analyze the technical qualities of  the work that make it stand out and hopefully resonate with the viewer. Composition, brushwork, use of values are all the tools that help a painting work visually. 

If one of my paintings can pass all that, then I look for uniqueness...and if I think it has that as well, then it is submitted.

The jury is the one that then decides...and sometimes they agree with my choices...sometimes not. A painting says something unique to each of its viewers. It is not an unbiased decision. I wish I had the formula to know a winner everytime. No one does... it is always a surprise!

Jurying Away in Ouray

I spent last week jurying an art show in the beautiful town of Ouray,CO. This town's art
association has had a juried art show for 48+ years. I critiqued 500 pieces of art of varying quality and expertise from the region. I was impressed with the overall quality and variety of work. What did I jury out? Work that was weak in composition or value ( the usual technical stuff) and work that was passe, i.e., it was the usual view or subject matter, or it was just technically done. What was I looking for? Work that spoke visually to me...that had a strong spirit to it.
I was amazed at the huge turnout for the opening and the juror's talk...yes I had to give a small speech too...
This small town appreciates and celebrates the arts as a vital part of its culture...if you are in the area, check this town out.
I did have time to relax and paint!