Got the call today: Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum has purchased Taliesin Goose! I am so honored to have a piece in the collection. *Read about the making of Taliesin Goose (my 1st 48″ reduction woodcut). Here it is at the 2014 Birds in Art exhibit (pretty nifty wall color, huh?):
Taliesin Goose, 2014, 30in x 48in
Part of what makes this purchase (and just the fact that this piece got into this year’s show) so meaningful, is that I submitted the same piece last year to Birds in Art 2013, and I didn’t get in. It really brings home the fact that every year is a different group of jurors, and in many ways, it’s kind of a crapshoot whether or not you get in (well, for people like me that is…. There are some folks who get in just about every time, and for them, it’s more of a relief when they get in. For me, it’s always a total surprise, since I’ve only gotten into Birds in Art 4 times out of about 12 tries).
At Birds in Art: Artists’ Preview Reception (signing each other’s books). Post by Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum of Wausau.
Seems like only yesterday…
…(summer, 2010) when I was learning how to do reduction woodcuts from Nancy Palmeri at Frogman’s Print Workshop. It really did change my life—enabled me to cut for and print successfully a reduction blockprint. I’m forever grateful.
And again, such a short time ago when I graduated from UW-Madison with an MFA in printmaking (2011), having learned block printing/relief printmaking from John Hitchcock…the experience changed my life and gave me yet another path through the forest. It’s the choosing and what you do with the options that can sometimes seem so confusing. Maybe it’s why I often just choose “all of the above” and hit the ground sprinting just trying to get it all done.
Museum title card (click on image to enlarge)
Taliesin Goose at Birds in Art 2014, 30″ x 48″, reduction woodcut on Arches Cover (click on image to enlarge)
A couple pics (and a poster!) from Birds in Art 2014, and plenty of pics at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum Facebook page.
Thanks, Sue, for the heartfelt — and entirely forthright — post. Juried exhibitions are often filled with nuances . . . some subtle, some obvious. With Birds in Art, we invite three different jurors every year and restrict the “age” of artwork to the current and prior two years. Your “Taliesin Goose” is a testament to the system, although I suspect you might have preferred that your fabulous woodcut had been accepted in 2013. Best to keep a positive attitude and persevere! Kudos to you! Kathy
Thank YOU Kathy! It’s simply a thrill to get in to Birds in Art. Period. If I don’t get in, I don’t resent, but just try again the next year (and again and…). Your jurori-ng process is fairer than most, since you change the jurors every year, so it really is a fresh shot every time.
I meant no complaints with the post above, but wrote it for people who don’t get in to the show after trying once, get discouraged, and think it’s impossible to get juried in–let alone attempt a 2nd try with the same piece–something I don’t often do). Bottom line: Birds in Art is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I realize I’m very lucky to have experienced it.
Sue, in no way did I interpret your joyful and terrific blog post as a complaint. I’m grateful for your forthrightness regarding the fact that the goose had been submitted last year. An excellent “lesson.” All best, Kathy
Oh, so glad! Thanks Kathy!!
I’m proud to know you. You really are such an amazing artist and person. I don’t know a harder-working artist.
Kay, thank you so much–this means so much to me. I know an equally hard-working artist: you!
Oh Kay thank you so much–that means a lot. However I suspect you are just as hardworking as I!!
That’s the stuff Sue!
Thanks Barry!
Thanks so much Barry!
This is fabulous news. Congratulations!
Thank you Anne!!
Congratulations!
Thank you!