Art Competition Archive

A whole new world ahead where NOTHING is impossible

Drawings by Ryan P. Spring

I’ve been an artist all my life, however I was at a loss in high school when we were told to pick a career and I said I wanted to be a world famous artist…where did da Vinci turn in his job application?

Dejected I lost 15 years of life in a bottle and had a long road to recovery and now I’m sober and my mind has been opened to a whole new world ahead where NOTHING is impossible.

I’ve been self employed as an artist for the past 2 years with the time being spent mostly on teaching myself oil painting and struggling to learn the business of sales which has been nearly nonexistent.

I learned that the oldest methods of oil painting involved glazing and this is where I’ve been unable to ‘get it’ and wish I was financially able to receive some instruction. …

Becoming a Contemporary Master

Portrait by Stella Han

My first dream was to become a painter when I was five. As I grew older my passions became varied, yet they were always art related; whether it was being an art teacher, comic artist, or illustrator and so on. I had my first opportunity to learn painting when I was in the 2nd grade, however after two sessions, it was unfortunately cancelled due to low enrolment.

My second artistic opportunity came when I was in the 9th grade. At first I was ecstatic, though soon enough I became disappointed. The teacher merely directed me in how to trace and lacked any traditional skill training. The fees for the class became too much for my parents, and again I was forced to leave.

By the time college rolled around I had to create and manage my portfolio all by myself and luckily I was accepted in School of Visual Arts in New York. I was truly excited to learn ‘real’ art. Once again, it was a discouraging experience because my painting professor told me: “Skills don’t matter.” All I learned from there was to paint and draw without any direction. The only feedback I received from my professors was: “That’s good.” I yearned to learn more about how the old masters created their stunning works, and wanted to discover their rigorous methods and skills; however I simply couldn’t find the answers to my questions. …

I quit a job as a systems analyst and programmer to pursue a degree in art

Painting by Bill Curtis

I have always been an artist. At least I have always been a dabbler at art. About 26 years ago I quit a job as a systems analyst and programmer to pursue a degree in art at the University of Hawaii.

Art holds a high place in my life. Its almost a prayer as I paint and draw or sculpt.

Creating a product I believe, and better yet, the buying public believes is worth purchasing.

Consistency is probably the word, and the techniques I would need to explore other styles and approaches to my art. …

Drawing and art subjects became my relief from the stress of home life Lee Anchor

Drawing and art subjects at school became my relief from the stress of home life

Artwork by Lee Anchor

I was born and raised in Hong Kong. Growing up in Hong Kong, my family and I experienced hardship, where work and income were important for the family’s survival and basic needs of food and accommodation.

To help the family, every day after school, I did part-time work and quite often finished at 8-9pm. I was 12 years old when I started working. This affected my attendance and performance at school and my education became secondary to ensure my younger brothers had enough food to eat.

Notwithstanding my poor education, I began to realise my natural talent for drawing and design when my teachers regularly used my school work to demonstrate to other students. Drawing and art subjects at school became my relief from the stress of home life. It became my outlet when I was upset or had no one to turn to. Because of my poor up-bringing, I was not able to develop my skills and passions. …

Relentless

Oil Painting by Sasha Lov

I am a Ukrainian born artist living in New York. I’m currently working out of Con Artist Studios. While my popularity is steadily increasing, fame is not my goal. As long as I can remember I have been driven to perfect my version of this world. …

Retirement means more time to paint!

Painting by Lorie Turpin

I have been an artist my whole life it seems. When I entered Grade school it was just so much fun colouring and creating!

I did follow up in the Arts in High School and beyond but then life seemed to happen and I had to work at different jobs. Then I had my very own family to dote on and dote I did! I used all my creative talent to create clothes and crafts and gourmet dinners, etc.

Well now has come the time in my life of thinking about retirement which to me only means more time to paint!! …

The secrets of the old masters are not myths or legends, they are real and I want to know them

Paintings by Suzanne Parent

Years ago I lived in an 1100 sq. ft. house with my parents and sister. I was 12 years old and did my homework in the basement on an old wood desk. Behind me just below the dirt line a small basement size window gave me daylight for just a few hours after school.

I loved to draw animals and buildings. I didn’t have tracing paper so I would carefully look at the shapes and lines and try to copy them. At some point the pictures were to intricate so I made squares on top of the picture and began meticulously following each square. I had no idea then that a similar method was used by Albrecht Dürer. My homework would always be last on my list of things to do. Homework for history class or biology class that required drawing however would be first.

Why do I tell you all this? I am no longer 12, I have a daughter and two grand-children. For my career I chose computers and still work till this day. Never had time to get better like I believe I can or anyone can. It’s a desire. I was never trained in drawing and painting all self-taught. My most pressing challenge is to learn the methods. …

Painting-like-the-old-masters-is-what-I-want-to-do-in-life

Painting is what I want to do in life

Artwork by Emmanuel

I’ve seen this picture for the first time during an exhibition of the Old Flemish Masters in Paris. This was the artistic revelation of my Life. Right after this exhibition I understood that painting is what I wanted to do in life.

I wanted so much to own this picture, I had three solutions for that : …

Now I can call myself an artist

Painting by David Yoffe

I did not attend any art school , learned painting from my own experience and by visiting each and every museum and exhibition , possible. Sure there are some mistakes in my works , or at least something that I do not like. But I am not sure that it is bad.

Now I can call myself an artist , after changing many occupations in my life , each time starting something that not just was not in plan ,it does not come to my dreams even. For me it is not just grate – it is much more.

In physics, math , engineering wrong idea is useless idea , nothing to do about it. But art is using also ideas that are wrong … something in painting is wonderful , something is ugly… both lives together. Painting is especially valuable to the artist – who else can say to himself ‘ today I did heaven and earth’ , also people can look at the art and found my idea or some other idea or impression sometimes ideas or visions, that I never imagine. …

Drawing-Art-and-Painting-Is-My-Second-Skin

Drawing Is My Second Skin

Artwork by Ana Becerra

I’m a 16 years-old student from the Dominican Republic. Ever since I can remember, I’ve loved art; whether I was coloring or spraying paint, I have always been into art.

When I turned 14, I began to invest more time and dedication to my art. My main focus are portraits, since I believe the most beautiful thing is the human face. It is such a complex thing to do but it called my attention right away.

I’ve never taken any kind of art courses, for a reason that is unknown to me. Although, that does not equal that I’m uneducated in the arts.

Almost 3 years later, here am I, still full of passion and thriving to learn more. I consider myself pretty talented. I’m praised often and I couldn’t be more grateful. For me art is everything, I feel that God put me in this world so I show my talent. It feels natural, like a second skin. …

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