Here I am back at the MAC headquarters, dropping off my finished (but very wet) oil painting with 36 minutes to spare! • MAIN ST. BRIDGE • 24 inches x 30 inches
“You win some you lose some.”
Since moving to Greenville in 2008, when it comes to my art, I feel like it’s been more heavily weighted to the “lose some” side.
So much so, that I almost didn’t participate in Greenville’s Metropolitan Arts Council’s FLAT OUT UNDER PRESSURE competition that took place on January 7 & 8th. But on the last day to apply, I sent in my application and decided to give it my best effort.
The contest was basically this: Start and finish a painting all within 24 hours.
Then on Saturday afternoon a judge from the Art Department of Clemson University looked at all 42 entries and choose the top 8 winners. Those who won received awards ranging from $300 – $1,000 + a trip to Italy, and all 8 will have their artwork printed on a recycle bin in downtown Greenville.
All 42 of us very-tired-artists, our families and friends, and lots of art patrons (including an enormous GREAT DANE who was mingling with the large crowd) met back on Saturday night at the MAC gallery for a reception and the awards ceremony.
My painting wasn’t chosen. I wasn’t at all surprised. But that didn’t make it any less disappointing.
The good news is this: I’ve spent the past several months doing some soul-searching regarding my art “business.” This 24-hour painting marathon helped to solidify some of the conclusions I’ve come to.
Number 1. I love to paint. And when I’m painting a piece that simply reflects the amazing beauty of God’s Creation, it brings me (and even some others) great joy.
Number 2. My idea of success HAS been, to eventually become as well-known as Thomas Kinkade. (OK, so maybe this is a little unrealistic.) I’ve been re-evaluating my definition of success as an artist these past few months. My goal for this year is to stop planning and trying to control my future to the extremes I tend to take this, but to instead just enjoy making some more beautiful art.
Number 3. I am not always going to understand why things aren’t turning out the way I want them to. But I’m going choose to TRUST God in all of this. His ways are bigger (and better) than mine. Maybe all he wants for me is to be a really good painter that has a calm and balanced life. Maybe I don’t need to be so driven to “succeed.”
If you’re interested in seeing photos of my 24-hour painting adventure, watch the >4 minute slide show I made. (Be sure to press the HD button in the upper right corner if you choose to enlarge the vidoe.)
I’m so glad I took all these photos. They are a good reminder to ME of the fun and joy I had in creating this painting. It was exhausting, but a fun and rewarding challenge!
The song you’ll hear in the slide show is from the CD called “Come Weary Saints” by Sovereign Grace Music. I thought the lyrics to this song really captured how I feel, despite the disappointment of not having my painting chosen as a “winner.”
JOY IN MY MORNING
Words and Music by Pete Gagnon.
© 2008 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (ASCAP)/Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP).
Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Ministries.
From Come Weary Saints. All rights reserved. International copyright secured.
Administration by Integrity Music.
I LOVE your conclusions. I’ve been working through some similar ones myself. Not about painting, though. My talents definitely do not lie in that arena!! You are a very talented and gifted painter, and I am one of the people who has found great joy in your work. I’m glad you’re not going to stop!
Your painting turned our GREAT! I agree with your conclusions about art and success. There are a lot of people who love to create art, but the demand is not as plentiful (in the fine art genre). Anyway, I enjoy your paintings and your blog – keep it up!
Good try Marie, Painting looks great, wish I could do something like that. Keep up the good Work. Jeanne
Marie, your painting turned out beautifully!!!!! Your use of colors G-Vegas scenery = perfection! 🙂 Well done indeed.
LOL! I love when I hear the term G-Vegas. Being from the Midwest up until 2 years ago, I am still captivated by the year-round beauty of downtown Greenville. This was my first attempt to capture it. Thanks for the vote of approval everyone!
Great job on your painting! Thanks for sharing the entire process with us. Everyone measures success differently. I just hope you’ll continue to enjoy painting, nature and life :).
Stay inspired!
Michelle
I love how this painting turned out, and I like the frame around it as well. The slide show documenting the process was really neat to watch, and I loved the song, too. You definitely have a gift of capturing the beauty of the outdoors. I can tell you are a driven person, and driven people tend to measure success in quantifiable means. I have the same challenge you do, in terms of measuring success. But, what I see in you is a world of success in just the kind of person you are…your actions, how you treat others, your uplifting attitude and your genuine love for your family and your friends. At the end of the day, I think success is measured in the number of lives you touch, and I know first hand that you have touched many with your spirit.
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Marie, I’m not sure how you found me on Twitter, but I’ve loved bouncing from your blog to your website to learn more about you and your work. It deeply inspires and encourages me! I especially loved your conclusions here–almost exactly 11 months before your favorite day. If you’re up for it sometime, I’d love to chat with you about your experiences with studio changes, traveling to art shows, and your general thoughts about life as an artist. I too love my studio at home with windows, my amazing husband who is my one man crew, and Jesus who continues to direct my steps. We currently live in Atlanta…
Hi Jennifer,
My dad actually forwarded me an e-mail he had just received from you. I loved looking through your website too… I wrote my dad back and told him I loved it, but it made me very tired, seeing how hard you’ve been working! 🙂 We live just outside of Greenville, SC so not too far from you… I’d love to chat with you more about ALL our many similarities. I thought that was ironic too as I looked through your site. I loved the paintings you had of the small children on the beach against the amazing sunset. I think it was a triptych. Marie (marie@mariescottstudios.com)