Jess at the Vision of Squam Opening 2009 with her piece Tinted Clouds
Submitting work to the first Squam Art Show was the first time I had ever done anything like that. In fact, painting was a relatively new endeavor for me before SAW. Submitting my work for the show was a good goal, a good motivator for getting some pieces done. It was what I needed to push me to complete something. It forced me to look for inspiration and follow the path that I found.
And then one of the pieces got accepted and it was the best validation I could have received. I was so scared going into this realm of talented people and I just hoped there was enough space for me to carve out a little spot, and there was. I was welcome and it felt awesome.
Wayonda cabin mates, Squam Art Workshops 2009
When I went to the opening I felt grateful to be part of such a great show with other artists I respected. It felt so good to see my work hanging there. By that time, when the show opened, I already knew I could do more than what I had produced for that show. So the show also helped me push myself to keep painting, keep letting my work evolve, and keep creating so that this year I can have something in the show that really demonstrates my growth, even if its only to myself.
You can find Jess at her blog, she and her husband's recycled art site here, (it's very cool, go look!), and her etsy shop here.
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This is the fifth in a series of essays/interviews/words from an artist that participated in the first A Vision of Squam Art Show that took place in September 2009 at artstream gallery in Rochester, NH. This year the show will be hosted by the Sandwich Artisans Guild gallery.
For information about the how to submit to the 2010 show, please go here.
For information on registering for Squam Art Workshops in 2010, visit the SAW site and Elizabeth here.
mmmm....i love jess and her work. such a kind, deep chick. thanks for sharing with us!
Posted by: kelly | May 17, 2010 at 09:29 AM
beautiful artwork! and of course that photo of the wayonda tribe makes my heart swell.
Posted by: lisa | May 17, 2010 at 04:24 PM