The submission deadline for Spectrum 20 is this upcoming Friday and I am not going to submit this year. It has taken me a while to make this decision, but I feel it is the right one for me this year. There are a ton of reasons why I am doing this… or rather NOT doing this, and it may or may not be even remotely interesting to anyone. I do know this time of year a lot of artist are stressing about submitting to Spectrum. Then there is the continued stress, the waiting, the crushing blow of rejection, and just maybe the celebration of acceptance that that will come in a couple months when those chosen are posted. This year I just gotta throw my hands up to it all and take a pass until Spectrum 21.
Spectrum 20 submission poster by Iain McCaig
My decision about Spectrum this year hinges mainly on two things. The first thing being I have done a ton of work in 2012 but none of the stuff I really want to eventually submit to Spectrum is out yet. Some of this unreleased work may not even be out until after Spectrum 20 is published and that might cause some issues. Granted, I could go ahead and submit the stuff that should be out before publication but it just didn't feel right for me to do so (though plenty of folks do and that is totally okay). I just don't want to take any chances cause you never know what will happen to a piece before it is officially published. The second thing is I just don't want to deal with the rejection. This might be a larger piece of this decision. To be honest I just don't want to go through not seeing my name on the list of accepted artist right now. 2012 was a crazy roller coaster of huge highs and deep lows, art wise, and I need a break. If I don't submit I can't get rejected… too pessimistic? Rather I feel I am being realistic. Spectrum is for the best of the best… or at least what the judges deem to be the best of the best. The work I have in front of me just does not compare to the work I have waiting in the wings so I will pass this year and ready myself for 2014 and Spectrum 21.
That is all for another exciting Wednesday on the blog, see you back here on Friday! Until then...
For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com
Hey I'm with you man, I thought about it, but really it's just not realistic (at the moment). I'm still battle trying to get my FIRST payed work. I am with you in that I have some great ideas in the hopper, but none of it is ready, and I decided not to push it. Better to take some time on one and be ready to crash the party next year with something totally kick@$$ right? I did shoot a little lower to the ground and put an entry in John's ArtOrder challenge (nymphs), it has $5 and I think at this point it's a little more realistic, besides who doesn't enjoy a chance to paint a hot girl? well except those weird people that just paint monsters, lol.
ReplyDeleteBeing objective and realistic with your work is a really hard to learn, but one that is EXTREMELY important. Most of the times a artist will become more critical on their own work then others will be and that can lead to growth or frustration. I know artists that have submitted to Spectrum for a decade or more before getting in and some people get in on their first try. Same goes for getting on certain sought after projects. Only you can decide if you should submit or not and be prepared for the outcome - good or bad.
DeleteI really appreciate this post. You're playing it really smart. I had a lot of internal struggle deciding whether or not to submit this year myself. Still not sure if I made the right choices but it's too late now :P no regrets!
ReplyDeleteEveryone has to make their own choice and many will say you can't get in without submitting... but there is SO much that is beyond the artist's control in these things. I hate popularity contests and there is an element to it with Spectrum - for better or worse. The judges bring their own likes and dislikes and baggage and Spectrum has a 'look' and not everyone fits into that. I know I don't. Just didn't feel like being a part of it this year. Got plenty to submit next year.
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