Serendipity

 

Serendipity, 2026 Oil on Panel 12"x16"

Despite my complaints in the previous posting, I am once again creating and submitting a work to a juried show.  The primary reason for my continuing applications to juried shows is that the local galleries are not selling quickly.  I'm baffled by whether it is my subject matters, my style, or the state of the union.  This juried call came from the Duxbury, MA Library's Helen Bumpus Gallery for works in a show titled Serendipity.  Oxford defines serendipity as "the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way."  While a refined pearl would not be found in an oyster, the image of the pearl is meant to convey serendipity.  I have many oyster shells in my yard.  My dear Wayne and I would often eat oysters on a Friday afternoon with our cocktails.  As we live on a marsh, we would toss the empty shells here and there into the wetlands.  I gathered those shells and photographed them for the painting.  It was great fun working with the whiles and reflected colors.  

Juried and Rejected

 

Gathering the Cranberries, 2025, Oil on Canvas, 12"x36"

I'm not a fan of juried shows. I don't particularly like working on a theme which practically all juried shows demand.  The annual Duxbury Art Association's juried show does not require a theme.  I have been chosen twice to participate.  However, this and last year I was not chosen.  This bog is located in Duxbury so I thought.....yes.  But, the jurors were not necessarily wowed by that as they probably are only looking at the plastic elements.   Here is a look at the show.

Nasturtiums with Lemon Balm, 2026 Oil on Panel, 12"x12"

This work was made in response to a Copley Society juried call for art, The Measure of Light.  I'm such a literal interpreter when it comes to these calls.  My response was this still life with strong light cast upon the object.  Set against the dark ground, I thought one could measure the light.  Once again, I was rejected.  I was also not chosen for a show that asked Copley patrons to choose works from members.

I find myself dejected and unsure of how I want to proceed.  I am working on 2 new paintings for juried shows.  Stubborn?  Optimistic?  We will see.