No no nooooo!!!
For the second year running I had a portrait digitally pre-selected through the first round of judging for the Royal Society of Portrait Painters’ annual open call. So for the second year running, took it to London for ‘in real life judging’. No cigar. Cue ‘walk of shame’ (collecting from the back entrance of The Mall Galleries 3 days later and carting it back to Bristol). Notwithstanding simply feeling very lucky to be healthy and free, this year I did three things that softened the blow of rejection:
Not publicising the pre-selection (so I didn’t have to tell people about the rejection - getting pre-selected is so difficult that many established artists have taken to announcing it).
I had the joy of a day out in London with my sitter Cato Pedder - we handed the portrait in together. One of the Mall Gallery ‘receivers’ exclaimed in complimentary tones about seeing Cato next to her portrait, and took this lovely photo:
I had it collected and driven back to Bristol by Art Moves of Chelsea. This was my first time using their (collect and deliver) service that runs between several cities and large open exhibitions. Instead of going back to London, I met the Art Moves van in a forecourt beside my local Royal West of England Academy. I was able to collect for a friend whose painting was also rejected. And met an artist whose work I really like, and who’s been in the RP show many times, retrieving his wonderful portrait from the same fate as mine. And bumped into another friend sending a painting up for another show. So really quite a validating experience.
I was aired by the Royal Portrait Society writing prize, but to be honest my application, a piece on The Male Gaze, was probably poking the bear. There was no acknowledgement of my entry, nor the usual Dear John letter about number of high quality entries, difficulty selecting, etc that characterise open call rejections. The published winners will produce something well worth reading - the essays are usually really good, and the show itself is incredible.
I was however very sad to miss out on the The Colab residency. This is only the 2nd time I’ve applied for a residency, I had to have two ‘referees’ supporting my application. Both are artists I admire, with impressive credentials. On messaging them to let them know their services wouldn’t be required, I received such encouraging replies, including “I definitely apply for way more things than I get!”.
To add to my good cheer, there are 3 commissions to work on, more applications pending, an exhibition on the go, and a temporary new soapbox:
Exhibition and Meet The Artists event
The group Spring exhibition at North Street Gallery is open until the end of April. I’m really enjoying showing work there - as an exhibitor in the group show, artists undertake to be on the stewarding rota. It’s been fascinating seeing behind the scenes at a gallery, and lovely to meet and talk with visitors. Also interesting to see different buying styles, from protracted to decisive!
I have been touched by the number of you who’ve gone out of your way to visit the show, thank you so much. And thank you to the mystery gifter - I will be treating myself to some new materials very soon.
If you can’t make it in person, my work is available to browse online here. The Equinox Bristol Gallery Weekend is this weekend, there are some brilliant demos, tours etc across Bristol Galleries, including (you are welcome of course) in North Street Gallery on Saturday afternoon.
SWLA Instagram takeover
As Dungscape is the winner of the Society of Wild Life Artists Bursary award, I have been given the reins of their Instagram account for March. It is such a great account, with a big audience. An opportunity to share Dungscape with a much wider audience, and also to slip in some exposure for other wildlife artists and galleries.
Dungscape ‘Turnered’ a corner recently, as I went to visit the Turner & Constable show at the Tate. Seeing Turner’s experimentation, and control of light, really helped me unlock the problem with the middle ground.
I was stuck trying to get the flying insects to show up against a background of grass. Inspired by Turner, a much bolder streak of light now offsets the Purple Emperor butterfly, and is ready to receive the dungflies and other beauties.
I’m excited to have new toys to play with - some homemade impasto medium from the brilliant artist Laura Williams , and iridescent paint which will be the finishing touch on the swallow, butterfly and beetles.
Out and about
Here are a few snaps from the last month, including several exhibitions still open:
A taste of Rose Wylie
Sketching at a free portrait event organised by Bristol Women’s Voices for International Womens Day
Mounira Al Solh at The Arnolfini until 24th May
Michele Ashby demonstrating in The SGFA show at The Mall Galleries
Louisa Crispin at The SGFA show in The Mall Galleries
Boxing themed life drawing session at Hamilton House with Bristol Life Drawing
Yeside Linney (also Louisa Crispin and others) at Sandra Higgins Gallery (Bath) until 28th March
Jacqueline Hammond and a collective showing botanical work in Stroud until 22nd March.
Thanks for reading, have a great week,
Gail
PS have you seen the Rose Wylie show at the Royal Academy? If so what did you think? I don’t get it, but the reviews are mostly gushing…
I loved this fascinating window into your world and as ever am so impressed by your resilience. Thank you for sharing - it's seriously inspiring! x