Back to work

At the end of November, I submitted this painting to the West Coast Biennial Juried Art Exhibition at Turtle Bay Exploration Park in Redding, Calif. Eden and I named it "Best Friends."

Jurors are now choosing 40 to 50 pieces for the exhibit from artists in California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska. That means competition will be stiff, but it is the first year Turtle Bay is organizing this particular contest so less people know about it and I think my work is strong. Even if my painting isn't chosen, it's good experience to make submissions — to decide that strangers, rather than just my girlfriend, should judge my work.

One great technical aspect of this contest is that the organizers are notifying artists whether their work has been chosen or not by the end of December. I won't have to sit around wondering for months and months.

I could have submitted up to three pieces, but I decided to make new work for this contest and just focus on it.

I hope to post more soon about my process, which after about five years painting, is finally feeling productive, and at the same time, comfortable.