"When should I start entering watercolor competitions", is a question I get once in a while from some of my students, and "which competitions should I enter and what should I submit".
I think any student artist that is getting a body of work together can start submitting work when they feel they have something they are proud of and want
to show it off. Entering these shows is a great way to reach for artistic goals. At times, it can be very disappointing when you don't get excepted but it can also drive you to try even harder and work more to get better and grow as an artist.
There are so many competitions at so many different levels one can choose from, at times it can get very confusing along with being a lot of work and very expensive. Start out with a few juried shows that are local and
try a few that are online and then little by little start going for the big national shows.
I have listed a few websites below that list some of the juried shows.
If you know the name of certain shows that you would like to enter, usually typing in the name on Google will get you their website and the info you need to enter into their show.
Don't enter these shows thinking only about the prize money, think about how it can help you
achieve levels in your artistic career and if by chance you win an award, it will give you a feeling of achievement and will boost your resume.
"Which work should I enter"? That's easy, enter your best.
Make sure you read the rules of the juried show, there is nothing worse then getting rejected because you did something wrong that was listed in their rules.
LIST OF SHOWS
Watercolor Society Shows are listed
HERE
A lot of shows use
CallForEntry.org and you can search for shows on their site too.
A list of most every watercolor society in the US
HERE
Web-based and Magazine shows put on by artistsnetwork are
HEREPlein-Air Salon is a big one
HERE today is the last day to enter this
one
