“It usually feels good to be element of an ‘Art Tribe,’” suggests Gwinnett artist Donna Biggee, referencing her purpose as a person of Tannery Row’s team of creative people who appreciate studio areas in Historic Buford.
Due to the fact the pandemic put a halt on website visitors to her studio, Biggee determined to target on other “Art Tribes.” Her target was to be accepted into prestigious national exhibitions, even if they are only on line this yr.
A self-taught artist considering that she was 4, Biggee has normally been objective oriented.
“I come from a massive sports loved ones,” Biggee reported. “My husband is a triathlete. My two sons ended up college or university football players with one particular becoming an All-American and captain of his staff. So getting target-oriented comes by natural means.”
Following doing work as an inside designer, Biggee returned to painting when her “nest” turned vacant.
“It is this kind of a pleasure to converse to men and women who like your function,” Biggee stated. “In a studio predicament, you get to fulfill potential buyers as opposed to working by way of a gallery.”
The pandemic took absent that closeness between herself and the admirers who obtained her function.
“It’s been tough monetarily as about 80% of my sales arrived from studio visitors,” she reported. “Being quarantined compelled me to check out other options. Not too long ago, my intention has been to paint for countrywide competitions as an alternative of portray for the general public.
“I am an associate member of The Oil Painters of The us, The American Impressionists Society, and the Pastel Culture as properly as numerous some others. I am humbled and honored to have been juried into each individual of these organizations’ 2020 National Shows.”
This accomplishment was achieved from substantial odds. This calendar year, the Pastel Culture of The us experienced 1,715 submissions and chosen only 207 functions for their exhibition. Her acceptance has positioned Biggee into “signature status” and, as a result, supplied her Gold Medal Position in the Global Association of Pastel Societies.
The Oil Painters of America, with 3,500 customers, only selected 100 paintings for their once-a-year exhibition this 12 months.
“Each of the societies has a massive convention for their once-a-year shows,” Biggee stated. “This yr, every thing has gone on the web. We will check out the awards ceremony on Zoom in its place of getting there to cheer on our fellow artists.”
Biggee enjoys the levels of competition that arrives with these countrywide gatherings.
“I like to evaluate myself up towards the other artists. Some of them are certainly modern day working day masters,” she claimed.
However life and landscape depictions are her favorite subjects. Her is effective accepted in the Oil Painters Association and Southeastern Pastel Association are nevertheless lifes. The American Impressionists Society do the job is a landscape.
Biggee has also embraced Plein Air painting due to the fact coming to Tannery Row.
“Plein Air activities can be held throughout the pandemic,” stated Biggee, who eagerly awaits an Oct Plein Air event in Madison. “I’m an out of doors lady in any case,” she says.
Holley Calmes is a freelance writer and public relations specialist specializing in the arts. Electronic mail her at hcalmes@ mindspring.com.