Rejected from Lawndale for the second year in a row

Yes, I was again rejected from the juried Big Show competition for a second straight year. Like any juried competition, I question the inner-workings of the process. For example, when you submit in person, a person asks you if you are a member of the non-profit. If you are not, which I am not, a certain box is checked on their form(which they keep as a juror card). This only leads me to speculate that if you do not give them money that you are either A. Not considered at all in the competition or B. Prioritized in such a way that drastically lowers your chances of getting in. Nevertheless, I paid my $30 entry fee which I can not recover. It will be the last time I do so. However, all is not lost. I have a good chance of showing at Gallery 1724's 'Salon des Refuses' which opens the very same night and time as the Big Show. If I can't get in there due to size issues(my painting is 2'x4') or whatever, then it will just have to be shown at the same time I show other new work. I really do wish the piece gets seen though. It is fantastic and I count it among some of my best work. For whatever reason I didn't get into the Big Show- screw it! I will do it on my own and I will be successful. I plan on producing my own shows in the future. I of course will have details posted here about when/where the party is going to be. It's time to do it my way.

The intentions behind those resplendent blue eyes are not nearly as bright.

I want to share with everyone my latest painting and preview of stylistic changes to come. Stylistically, my goal was to create a striking portrait with cinematic qualities. The title is based on the brief interaction I had with the subject. It's really another way of saying: " You can't judge a book by it's cover." I also thought the title sounded a bit like a scene description in a film. This is also my one and only entry to Lawndale's annual 'Big Show' juried competition this year. I should be notified by Sunday if my work is accepted. If not, I will try to get into the Salon de Refuses show at Gallery 1724 on Bissonet where I have exhibited before. Fingers crossed everyone!