Sad news at Mystic...

[Jimmie Arroyo]

This is a reply to a previous thread

So, I went to the reception last night with my wife and daughter real excited. It took about three hours with traffic and getting around an accident to get there. As soon as we get there, I plan to go to my piece to take pictures. The president of the CAFA greets me and congratulates me. I proceed to my pastel 'tracey in blue' and start taking pictures.

I tell my wife that I wish they had a sign saying it was 'best of show' to include it in the photo. The president passes by a couple of times, kinda confused that I'm still in the same room. My daughter asks to see the other piece that I entered, and I ask her to wait. My wife decides to take her. My wife comes back and tells me "Your pastel didn't win".

The first thing that comes to mind is that I didn't win anything and it was all a big mistake. She then tells me "Your drawing won". I'm shocked.

"What?!"

"Your drawing won 'best of show'" I tell her that's impossible, I assume she's kidding. I go out and look and yeah, my drawing won 'best of show'. I don't know what to say, I'm numb for a bit. "That can't be."

I talk to the president and tell him about my surprise. I told him that I thought it was my pastel piece this whole time. I even told the model who posed for it. He tells me he was a bit surprised also. The judges were two women over sixty, very set in their ways. He says there were many powerful pieces, but they decided on something very calm. They don't intend on inviting the judges again. Obviously, the president and staff don't feel it should'nt have won either and was disappointed with the decision.

I did'nt get it. I would have been willing to accept 'best drawing'. It was'nt the most technical or detailed, but I felt it spoke more than the other drawings. Although there were many fine pieces and few that could have taken 'best of show' depending on the judges, I would have been happy to win with the pastel piece and not feel guilty about it.

I'm sure just about everyone there saw my drawing and thought "This won 'best of show'?" I kept thinking that myself. I felt miserable and almost embarrassed accepting the award when I was called. I wanted to leave immediately, but my wife told me to stay a bit. Three people congratulated me, but everyone swarmed around the guy that the association thought should have won.

My wife tried consoling me by saying how incredible the drawing is, but it's never gonna help. I like the drawing, don't get me wrong, but it's no winner among other good work. I thought my pastel was better, I even got a nice frame for it! The only way I'm going to feel good about it, is after I receive my new full set of Unisons with the prize money. Que lastima.

I'm going to post pictures from the reception, I regret not taking more pictures because I was upset. Real stupid of me.

Man, that's a lotta whining. Thanks for listening. BTW, here's the winner.

[Allan Rahbek]

Don

[David Draime]

[QUOTE=Allan Rahbek]Don

[Jimmie Arroyo]

You folks are too kind.

And if you were made to feel undeserving by the crowd there, shame on them, not you. It's their bad manners, not yours.

Regardless of his personal opinion, I think the president's remarks to you were out of line (not to mention less than gracious)!

That did not bother me at all. I was feeling the same way. My wife did not care for his comments and thought they were rude. I felt different, I'm very glad he came out and gave me his honest opinion. It'll just help me, not hurt me.

I appreciate everyone's comments, I'm realizing that I was too sensitive about it, and am moving on. Here's some pics from the show. They're not in order of explanation.

The chinese boatmen is the one that everyone thought should have won, it's a pretty good painting, but I think the size of it is what caught the people's eye.

The dancers is from the same artist, again nicely painted, but too busy.

The portrait of the woman with the flowers in her hair has to be seen close to be appreciated. It's better from a foot away than it is three feet away. I've drawn the same model maybe thousands of times back in college.

I really like the pastel from Sam Goodsell, the application looks simple (I'm sure it's not) but powerfull. Another that has to be seen in person.

My drawing and pastel. The frame is really nice on the pastel, it has blue on the edges and the museum glass looks great. The drawing has a $20 frame from IKEA. They're strong and look good.

[Jimmie Arroyo]

...and mine.

[Garth Herrick]

Again, Jimmie, your drawing is fully deserving of the best in show status.

Garth

[Allan Rahbek]

:

Best , Allan

[Elizabeth Schott]

Jimmie last time I looked in the dictionary "best in show" did not mean the best art work with applied color!

This is a very deserving drawing, and now you can think about how much more fun it will be to keep doing even greater pastels since you didn't get the big prize on the first one out!

I am very proud of you and I bet your family is too!

As for the other guy, heck he's likely been there a godzillion amount of years and bakes everyone cookies for the holidays!

Still a standing O!

[Claudemir Bonfim]

I understand what you mean, but you are wrong!
That's a lovely drawing! It's not a common or ordinary drawing, the best thing in my opinion is the expression you captured.
Be happy and enjoy the moment, you deserve it!

[Jimmie Arroyo]

Thanks guys, I'm still gonna feel crummy for a while but thanks.