First Ever Exhibition....sort of

Yesss! I have four of my favorite images currently showing in a real exhibition up in Springfield, IL....sort of! I recently entered the Springfield Art Association's Images of Illinois competition, sponsored by the Illinois Times, and several other fine businesses and supporters of the arts. And while none of my four entries placed, I am excited that they are on view to the public at the SAA Collective July 6 - July 29, 2017. The exhibition is in the gallery at 700 N. 4th St. in Springfield.

While the SAA chose to display the non-winning entries in an unframed 4x6 format in their own little area, I am still pleased as punch to know my images are out there in the public eye. After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I know the right viewers will appreciate my images as much as I do. Hey, exposure is exposure, and I will take it when offered!

While I did try to stay with my main subject of Farm/Ag when submitting my entries, I did have one that was more or less Nature, which is okay-- that is the other subject I enjoy shooting as well. So I included my "Japanese Maple, 7:45 am." photo in the group of entries.

While I am a tad surprised that "Wheat Field" or "Sleeping Beast" didn't get honorable mentions, at least, being, in my mind, representations of Illinois, which after all was the theme of the competition, I am just glad my images were even chosen for the competition. There were over 300 entires, and from photographers from 11 states, I believe. Quite field for the judges to have to ponder!

So, yeah, they didn't garner me any major awards, but it wasn't really the award I'm after. It's the exposure. And while I am happy for the winners, I do know that comparison is the thief of joy, and art is very much a subjective thing-- the eye of the beholder thing, you know. So I am happy just to have gotten the chance to show my work somewhere other than the County Fair. Which of course, is coming up, and yes, I will have entries in it again.

Now I have my eye on the next competitions and open calls. Really looking forward to this new journey of chasing exposure!