The best advice on this art adventure was given to me a couple of years before I ever picked up a paintbrush and that was "take a painting class and get involved with the painters in your community." Of course, it took me two years to overcome the fear and commit to art lessons, but ever since I have been actively involved with other artists in my community and the larger Nashville area and have reaped untold rewards! Last year I began to consider art events further afield and was, happily, accepted into two art shows on the west coast, which got me thinking about some of the national art organizations that serve oil painters. There are several and I began to investigate what other fellow artists thought about them. Some felt it was an unnecessary expense, but many of the artists I admire had two or three listed on their CVs. After a lot of deliberation I decided to join the National Organization of Oil and Acrylic Painters, otherwise known as NOAPS, which welcomes all comers who pay the dues. I also applied to Oil Painters of America, who jury applicants based on submitted jpgs of recent paintings. If accepted, you begin as an Associate Member and have opportunities to advance, after a few years and a few hurdles, to the Signature membership (where you get to put letters behind your name!) The biggest jump is the Masters Level and it is a small and special group of amazing painters. When we got home from vacation this week a pile of mail was waiting and in it was a fat little envelope from Oil Painters of America. You know what a fat envelope means, right? (happy dance!) So now I am a card-carrying American artist!! Thank you for letting me share my happy news! Thanks for reading my blog!
7 Comments
Lynne Hunnex
1/29/2019 09:20:36 am
Congrats Wendy. I am sooo happy about your HAPPY news!
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Robin
1/29/2019 10:27:46 am
Happy dance for you! I hope to be there one day!!! Congrats!!!!
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Janet walker
1/29/2019 12:50:05 pm
Gosh! How cool is that! Imagine....I say congratulations! You deserve it.
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Gay Weidkamp
1/29/2019 09:15:54 pm
Congrats on a well deserved honor. You work so hard and it's great to see your skill
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Betty
1/30/2019 07:06:07 am
It's only 7am, but this is by far the best news I've heard all day!!!!You're the best! And if I didn't have coffee in my hand I'd do a happy dance too!
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Kathleen M
2/1/2019 03:58:33 pm
This is so exciting and you are so deserving ❤️👍🏻👏🏻🥂🕺🤸♂️💃🏻
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Wendy
2/2/2019 02:09:09 pm
Thank you all for celebrating with me! I appreciate your kind comments so much!!
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Hello! My name is Wendy and I am passionate about oil painting! Whether in the studio or out in Mother Nature, I get lost in the experience of capturing on canvas the moment and the feel of what I am painting. I pour my love and energy into every single piece of artwork and I hope it shows! This blog is a place where I can use words to talk about art, painting, life, faith, things that make me laugh, and things that inspire. I love every response, so don't be shy about leaving a comment...Archives
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