Rejection is part of the game. However, I don't take these kinds of things personally. I don't know the vision of the curator. I don't know what the other pieces looked like or even how many were entered or accepted. I don't know how the judge was instructed. There are so many things that I just don't know.
I do know that I don't regret making the piece. It brought back a lot of great memories.I also know that a lot of people have no idea about the game of Jacks. I do know that I'll be a little sad but not for too long. I have too many ideas rattling around my head ready to get out! As Albert Camus advised, "Live to the point of tears."
Here is my artist statement:
The goal for the summer of 1965 was to become the world
champion of Jacks. The competition
lived next door. We had decided on the games of Jacks because she was not any good at baseball and I did not want
to play with dolls. And it was not just about the game but all the adventures
to find the perfect place to play. Was the surface of the town’s gazebo better
than the library’s sidewalk? Was my driveway better than hers? Was a rainy day
in June better than the heat of an August day? I loved charting it all as the
official bookkeeper. Onesies, Twosies, Eggs in the Basket, Double Bounce, Pigs
in the Pen…when we mastered one, we moved on to the next. When I discovered that
the song “This Old Man” was inspired by an early Irish version of Jacks, we sang it as our anthem with our
right hand over our heart before every match (although not all ten verses every
time). At the end of the summer, we decided to share the title and have a
rematch the following summer. It was not to be. Diane moved and the summer of
fun in the sun with Jacks became a
bittersweet memory.
Beautiful piece Karen. It always hurts, but I have also learned to think that it is often about how pieces look as a show, as a group often more than which piece is best. but still...ouch, right?
ReplyDeleteYep. Ouch! I worked on this quilt so much. The quilting gave me tendonitis in my elbow. I'm already moving on. Thanks so much for your kind words. Hugs, Karen
DeleteI can't imagine that this was rejected! I love the sunny background and the shadows, and I really loved playing jacks as a kid.
ReplyDeleteSherrie, Thank you! I am also so happy to finally have someone else who played jacks. Hugs, Karen
DeleteOh, yes, I loved jacks! I'm 76 and probably played when I was 8-9-10 years old. Your quilt is cleverly done, especially the shadows! Houston's loss that it was not accepted.
ReplyDeleteMartha Ginn
Martha, Another Jacks lover! Excellent! Thanks for your kind thoughts. Hugs, Karen
Deletegreat piece and wonderful story... I remember Jack's, the kids are losing out with another opportunity.. Is it now an "App". Love the shadows in your piece... yes, Houston's loss. Our gain,, you wrote about it.
ReplyDeleteVivian, You are so right. I seldom even see the children in my neighborhood outside! Hugs, Karen
DeleteIt is a wonderful piece, Karen. We are all dating ourselves, of course - but oh, well...
ReplyDeleteI've had pieces not accepted to one show and juried into another, so you never know. I have also been a juror and I know there are lots of reasons a piece does not get into a particular show; none having to do with the quality of the work. I hate the word "rejection" and never use it. And I never take it personally because they are not "rejecting" ME; there is some other reason the work is not appropriate for that show.
This piece will get into a show - just keep sending it out!
Rayna, thanks! I will try sending it out. I decided to use the word rejection because of several conversations with people of late who did not get their work into a particular exhibit and they talked about feeling "rejected." I agree. It's not me being rejected. Hugs, Karen
DeleteKaren, I love the new artwork, such a wonderful reminder of childhood! Keep it moving and I have always found when my work does not get accepted into a show it means a better venue is right around the corner waiting for you!
DeleteBonnie
Karen - I love the 'Jacks' piece. It brings back pleasant memories for alot of us. The shadows are particularly wonderful. Maybe the people judging the show are of a different age group than the rest of us, so this might not evoke the same emotional response in them. . . I know, that's a long shot, but on the positive side anyway. It just resonates with a different group at this time.
ReplyDeleteDiane, You are not alone in your thoughts. I even thought it myself when I was making it. We may never know why it was not accepted. I appreciate that you love it and it evokes good memories. Hugs, Karen
DeleteVery cool piece, and I was very happy to read your process of the acceptance of not being accepted into a show! Ultimately, we have to make what we make for ourselves. Good work!
ReplyDeleteGayle, How wonderful to see your smiling face! Thank you. Hugs, Karen
ReplyDeleteYour statement is spot on! Sorry you didn't make this exhibit but there will definitely be others where this little charmer will be most welcome.
ReplyDelete