February 19, 2019
I received by email the answer for the first contest I participated in: "Talents de Femme".
So, you have to know that to register for a contest (this is the case for this one but also for many others), you have to pay... Pay a membership fee to be part of the association, pay to participate and if you are selected, pay to exhibit...
I'm just starting out and when I signed up I was looking for competitions that would allow me to "test" my paintings, to see if they could appeal to people other than those around me...
When I received the negative answer concerning my selection, I was shocked... It didn't last long... A few days before, I had read an article by the artist Amylee, who talked about the moments of doubt and rejection that an artist would necessarily encounter during his career.
Well, my paintings had not been selected... but I did not know who was in front of them...
That's the principle of contests...
That does not mean that my paintings had not liked, but that there were better opposite...
So, let's get to work!
I take my canvas and inspired by my chat with the wine merchant, I start to paint on the theme... of wine!
February 27th, first walk in Marseille.
The artist Amylee, was kind enough to send me an invitation for the SIAC, Salon International de l'Art Contemporain. In reality, she had sent me two invitations but I don't know anyone here who is interested... Too bad, here I am, off to Marseille by myself, like a big girl. Address entered in the GPS, and then, a show like that, I will see some indications... Exit from the highway, I go on the road... The place seems to me quite remote for an event like this one... Ah yes... ok... I entered an address which must be the one of the person to contact for the show... dumpling... I park and I search for a new address on the invitation, on google...
By elimination I enter a new address... Some signs indicating the Palais des Congrès but nothing about the show... I turn around and see by chance, far behind a big gate, a small sign "SIAC". Oh, that's it! Here it is! All I have to do is find a place and go!
I walk into this salon like a kid. I'm happy to be here, relaxed. I want to enjoy. I look at each stand, observing the choices of setting up, the presentation of the stands... From far, I recognize Amylee's paintings, her portraits, the flowers, the colors, the gold... When I arrive in front of her, she is already chatting. I say hello to a grey-haired man and continue on my way, I will come back. I won't leave without talking to her. I have to meet her at least to thank her. I continue my stroll and confirm me in the idea that art is very subjective. I cross all type of works. Strange, superb, works whose work I admire without especially liking them, others honestly, I wonder what they do there... Who likes?...
Art and tastes...
My little tour over, I go back to Amylee's booth, still in full discussion.
This time the man starts the discussion. I understand that it is, in fact, the famous Gilles, who is often named in Amylee's articles. Once her conversation is over, Amylee joins us and we have a very pleasant moment of sharing.
I am delighted with this beautiful moment.
As I leave, I have this crazy desire to be able to do it and in ten years to talk about my art, my experience, to share...
Amylee et Gilles - Advices and Resources for Artists
(link at the end of the article)
Come on now, back home...
I had the idea to go before to the art store "Le Géant des Beaux Arts". Two young people had a small stand at the show and I took the opportunity to ask them where the store was. I usually order by internet but it would be a shame to be in Marseille, probably a few meters from the store and not go there... It is apparently five minutes away... But the two young people insist that I don't have to take the tunnel. I don't mind, but my GPS is ready to make me drive all the way to Marseille so I can go through the tunnel.
The five minutes turned into forty-five minutes, but I'm there! A little disappointed, I was expecting something else... Smaller than, the idea I had, dark... But maybe this feeling was created by the pitfalls to get there... Anyway, I saw, I took what I needed but I say "long live the internet!".
I would like to thank Amylee for her advice and her words that day, but also for the months that followed and still today. You don't know her yet? Then go to her blog https://www.amylee.fr/
Amylee is a great painter but above all she has the taste of sharing so click.
For the rest... I'll see you next week...
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