
sailing out of NYC in a thunderstorm, at dusk
We recently returned from a fabulous two week vacation to New York, Montreal and points in between. It was exceptionally good timing as I had been pedal to the metal for months making art for new exhibits and causes. Before leaving I submitted entries to four fine art exhibits. The one I was most excited about was an environmental center where I had submitted new work constructed with plastic.

construction artwork, Boston
While bobbing around on the sea, I received in one day, three declines. Not one, but three, in one day! The next day the fourth delivered.

love me some reflections, Boston
Normally “rejections” do not upset me as I realize it is the price of playing the game. In other words, you cannot be rejected if you don’t enter! And because I was on vacation, and my brain on reset, I actually laughed at the irony of all the no thanks being delivered on the same day. The email from the environmental center stated that out of 100 entries, four were chosen…Vegas odds!

Ile Orleans, QC
One of the things I have learned from this gig is work that is ‘rejected’ by one panel of jurors is often selected by another. A perfect example is my work Culture of Fear which was submitted to an exhibit about gun violence. It was declined so I entered it in Visions, in San Diego and it got in! Even better.
Very seldom do I speak of the ‘no thanks’ emails. Maybe it is my years of being chosen last for the team, or because I have been on the juror end of things and know that not every piece of work is a good fit for a cohesive show. So I just don’t get wrapped around the axle about this sort of stuff. I know those who do, whining how they cannot understand why every venue does not take their work, life is not fair and so on. Whatever the reason, I just keep on moving forward.

one of many gorgeous sunsets
Meanwhile, I am readying for an express trip to San Diego this weekend for the opening of Visions: Conversations 2018.
Oh and have I mentioned my work is on the header on the social marketing?! Win, win.

Visions 2018: Connections
Visions Art Museum, San Diego, CA
Your laughing at the deluge of rejections on one day reminded me of a recent situation in which I said “I wonder who else wants to slap me on the wrist today!” I enjoyed following your pictures of your trip and glad to hear you were able to take this long one. I’m rewarding myself after quilt show duties with a week at Arrowmont in Gatlinburg, TN, in Paula Kovarik’s class next week. There should be some fall color in the Smoky Mountains to see. Congratulations on Visions 2018!
Martha…what an awesome reward you are giving yourself! I ❤️❤️❤️Paula’s work. I look forward to seeing your outcome!
Hope to see you in San Diego. I live nearby and look forward to the evening. Glad you were accepted.
Thank you Nancy…I look forward to seeing you again!