2019 INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION AWARDS

Juror’s Statement

Missouri Watercolor Society 2019 International Exhibition

I offer greetings and congratulations to all the artists who entered this prestigious exhibition.   It is indeed an honor to have been chosen to select and judge this show!    I must say, however, that it was a daunting task to select the best pieces from such a large body of outstanding paintings.   It truly was, at times, a ‘hair pulling’ decision making process!

Most everyone asks about  selection criteria and the reasoning behind the choices.   I am a design “nerd !”   Design is always the driving first thing which presses me include or exclude any painting into, or out of, an exhibition.   Content, or message, or story in a painting will set me thinking in ways that a simply “beautiful” painting would not.  The message is very important.

There is an overriding condition, which appears in a few paintings, which holds enormous power . . .and that is creativity.   This aspect shows how the artist thinks and exposes the artist’s audacity, authenticity and freedom.   It, therefore, carries a lot of weight. . . .at times as much, or more, than content.

Lastly, expert technique counts for little.   That is to say that a well designed painting that exhibits strong content and / or exemplary creativity will win out over poor technique.

As an aside, I must admit to sometimes allowing personal taste to enter into the above reasons for judgment.   While I try to prevent taste from entering the decision making, my humanness may, at times, unexplainably enter into the final reasoning.

To those artists who did not make the cut, you have my sincere empathy while I encourage you to continue reaching for higher levels of artistic achievement.   I know rejection can be painful.   It can also be the stimulus needed to advance aesthetically.   So, press onward and continue entering; it is very much worth your efforts!

Sincerely,

M.E. “Mike” Bailey, AWS / NWS