Your shopping cart is empty.
Mar 14, 2018
BIG NEWS TO SHARE! I Still Can't Believe It!
If I was a dog, thinking about whether or not I should apply to a bunch of art festivals in Chicagoland this summer, this is what I would look like....worried, anxious, perplexed, excited, did I mention, nervous?
It's been a while since I've sent out a note, but for a good reason.... I've been thinking. A LOT! I've been planning. A LOT!
"In order to participate in this art festival, I had to do the uncomfortable thing that many artists hate to do....stick my neck waaaay out from my comfort zone, and pay to be judged, knowing there was a good chance my work could be rejected." -Marie Stephens
I had to decide and submit my work for the jury process by January 26, wait until February 26, and have my schedule set (if I was accepted into any shows that is) by March 26.
During the application process, I had two options 1. Submit applications separately and pay a separate fee per show per medium 2. Buy a pro-pass and apply as many times as I want in as many mediums as I want for one fee. I went for option 2, to improve my odds of being accepted into at least one art festival, something that has been on my bucket list for the past few years.
So, literally, at THE last minute, 12Am on January 26, 2018, I hit the SUBMIT button for my applications! I applied to 18 shows in 4 mediums...you know, to improve my odds of getting in, somewhere, with something.
The categories I applied in:
1. Dog Portraiture in Oils, submitting 4 of my paintings from last summer
2. Dog Portraiture in Drawing with Inks
3. The Happy Surprises Collection, my little tree bark buddies
4. Midwestern Landscapes in oils
So I hit that submit button, and then...I waited, and waited, and waited until February 26th. That day, I opened my Juried Art Services account, and reviewed all 72 applications. Each show requires a separate application for each category you apply in!
Slowly but surely, the results came in, and each time I checked back, there were a few more green circles with white checkmarks! And do you know what a green circle with a white checkmark means? GREEN=GO!!! I GET TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was so elated to see that I was accepted in all four categories that I applied in for 11 out of 18 shows, 3 categories for one show, and in the top 6 for the waiting list in the rest of the shows! I still cannot believe it!
"First, I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. Next, in typical Sappy Stephens fashion, I cried a few tears of relief and joy."
Now What Shows and Which Medium? After coming down from the " OMG, I GOT IN!" High, came the difficult task of deciding what I thought I could actually handle, and which medium to take.
I decided for now to do one BIG show in Chicago this summer. Then I can really feel like, if I can survive this one, I can do anything, right?
The Gold Coast Art Fair has a huge following, and is in it's 61st year! I am planning to take my collection of Dog Paintings along with my ink sketches, in hopes of attracting buyers in need of gifts for Fathers Day.
Hopefully I will be able to break even on all of my expenses, and have enough work to make a salary this year! Fingers crossed!
The Doggies are Going for a Ride to Chicago! The dogs and I are hitting the road and making the trek to the 61st annual Gold Coast Art Fair at Grant Park in downtown Chicago on Fathers Day Weekend, June 16th and 17th! EEP!
You guys, this is huge! This outdoor Art Fair is supposed to be one of the biggest ones in the country! Over 100thousand people are expected to attend throughout the weekend! That's a lot of people. Makes my heart pound just thinking about it! Maybe I'll see Oprah!
"The Gold Coast Art Fair at Grant Park welcomes more than 300 artists from around the world to downtown Chicago. Exceptional artwork of all mediums, ranging in price from $25 to $25,000, will draw hundreds of thousands of art enthusiasts to Grant Park's beautiful Butler Field. Celebrate the summer season with an art-filled experience at the 61st annual Gold Coast Art Fair. Take in the art action with incredible demonstrations by artists, live music, and interactive art projects. Go for a spin on the Spin Art machine to create a masterpiece of spiraled and splashes of paint. Savor the summer sun and Chicago's stunning skyline in the city's iconic Grant Park. Enjoy a beer, fabulous food, and live music in one of our three Food, Music & Beer Oases! It's all here at the Gold Coast Art Fair at Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois!" From amdurproductions.com
I just wrote a check for a very large sum of money, in hopes of getting a return on my investment. It's in the mail, so there's no turning back! I feel like it's a huge gamble.
There are so many things out of my control!
1. The weather
2. The crowds
3. The heat
4. The wind
5. Leaving my art out overnight!
Fortunately, my husband used to be a farmer, so I know what it's like to write out a giant check every spring for seeds and fertilizers, with absolutely no guarantee of a good crop!
But isn't that what life is all about sometimes? Taking chances? Stepping out of your comfort zone in order to grow? We were forced out of our comfort zone the day we were born, and we've done it every day since our birthday.
I have thought about this long enough, and I say, let's do this!!!!
I hope this inspires you to do something that's been on your bucket list, and if you happen to be in Chicago Fathers Day weekend, stop by and see me and the Doggies in Grant Park!
Thanks so much for subscribing my newsletter, and just so you know, I have changed my mind a bazillion times already as to which collection of art to bring to this festival, and it's possible I might change it again! I'm slightly indecisive, in case you hadn't noticed...but that's another story for another time.
Until then, thanks for reading!
Marie Stephens
"I am seeking. I am striving. I am in it with all my heart."- Vincent van Gogh
This is only visible to you because you are logged in and are authorized to manage this website. This message is not visible to other website visitors.
This means you can use the camera on your phone or tablet and superimpose any piece of art onto a wall inside of your home or business.
To use this feature, Just look for the "Live Preview AR" button when viewing any piece of art on this website, and stand 10 feet from the wall you are pointing your phone camera to.
This means you can use the camera on your phone or tablet and superimpose any piece of art onto a wall inside of your home or business.
To use this feature, Just look for the "Live Preview AR" button when viewing any piece of art on this website, and stand 10 feet from the wall you are pointing your phone camera to.
Marie Stephens Art
Free Print +15% off YOUR FIRST PRINT ORDER
Enter your email below,
and we'll email you a FREE PRINT+ 15% OFF Coupon right now!
As a bonus, you will get first dibs on purchasing, new original art with exclusive insider pricing.
This offer is valid for NEW CUSTOMERS only and applicable only for regularly priced prints.