Juried Shows are a Crap Shoot

Guests looking at Grey Area©

The Florida Museum for Women Artists opening went great on Friday. I visited with old and new friends alike, always a good thing.


As I mentioned before, it was a juried show, which is always such a crap shoot. I know quite a few women that were not juried in and their work is FANTASTIC. So why didn’t they make it in?


One has to wonder. It is a question I have had to ask myself when I didn’t get in a show. Was it the work? Was it the venue? Was it me? Was it all of the above?

Inquiring minds want to know.


Which is why I have recently starting reading books, blogs, and attending talks and workshops on art marketing. And it has helped me. Not necessarily by getting into a specific show, but by educating me for the long haul. Again, always a good thing.

So I want to share some of my favorites with you. Feel free to pass along your favorites too as I am always open to educational stuff.

I read Copy Blogger and ArtBiz Blog  on a regular basis as they cover tons of pertinant info on marketing.   ArtBiz addressed the jurying subject specifically back in June.

Also, I recently I attended a workshop by Alyson B Stanfield of ArtBizBlog in Jacksonville, which was great.  If you haven’t read her book, I’d Rather Be in the Studio, I would highly recommend it.

Good stuff, all of it.

And that, my friends brings me to what I am thankful for on this day before Thanksgiving:

to be able to pursue my passion, and continue to grow while doing so, surrounded by loving family and friends, even if at times it is a crap shoot.

I wish you the best of luck in the shows you enter!  May they all be "yeses."

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Do you use business cards?

And no, this is not a trick question. In these oh, so modern times I know some people don’t use them anymore.

But I do, and I recently learned about Moo products from Rebecca Sexton Larson.

Well, I have ordered from them twice now and let me just say, “WOW. I LOVE their cards!”

Wanna know what I like best? Their texture. Yes, the image is great. And the layouts too. But when I give a card to somebody 9 times out of 10 they will gently rub the card with their fingers. Yep, they notice the texture too, even if not consciously. Deliciously buttery.

Try ‘em. You’ll like ‘em. And if you’re a tad nervous about taking the plunge to order your own, you can have one of mine first. Just let me know.

But I think you’re gonna like ‘em.

I hope you have a creative day.

Life is a Highway

Gray Area, Kim Radatz©

And I am drivin' it today.  Interstate 4, here I come.

I am hitting the highway today to deliver my piece, Gray Area, to the Florida Museum for Women Artists in DeLand. What a beautiful day to do so as the sun is shinning and the sky is clear.

I am very honored to be part of this show and really looking forward to the opening on the 19th. Maybe I’ll see you there? I’ll hope so.

Gray Area, detail Kim Radatz©