Success , Success, Success

Success Success Success

What an exciting exhibition we had at Zoo Lake last month. It was the Autumn selection for new artists (new for “AUS” that is- some Artists are well known professionals and others emerging.)

I was there early on Saturday morning, together with our Chairman Danie Roos , Kieran Anderson and Anne Inggs, to demarcate the area for the new and nervous artists… It had been raining and raining the previous night …when I arrived on the scene it was still raining. But nothing deterred us and the scene was set up for all these dedicated artists that stood expectantly hoping like mad that the rain would cease AND be selected. Eventually it did clear up and was a very pleasant weekend over all.
Determination and Commitment

For me it is so encouraging to see the determination and commitment of some of these artists. I know for a fact that several of them have tried more than once to be selected… that takes guts and courage. WELL DONE and CONGRATULATIONS to those arstists that were selected. If any of the hopeful artists that exhibited on the selection weekend are reading this and were not accepted this time, please try again and NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP- NOT EVER. Judging is a funny thing and I personally don’t understand it fully.

Having said that I have two success stories of encouragement and hope to share with you...

One is that of Daniel Novela. Daniel was one of the judges at the last selection. He studied at the Vaal triangle Techikon from 1996-1998. He exhibited at Artist under the Sun in 2001 for the first time. He tells me that it was hard for him initially having to support a family on his art alone.

I asked him” Daniel what’s your secret?” (hoping to get some tips too)

With that he told he me that commitment was the key factor. He remained consistent with his subject matter and of course the quality of his work. He earned the respect of his buyers and become a very well known Artist as a result.

A stroke of good fortune struck in 2006 and Daniel went to New York and was introduced by one of his customers to a Gallery there. Well the rest is history and Daniel can no longer keep up with the demand for his work…Sadly for us at AUS, with his success, he no longer comes to Zoo Lake regularly.

The second success story is that of Teboho Makoatsa. A member of AUS since August last year. He has been selected as one of the Top 100 young Artists at the annual art competition of ABSA L’Atelier Awards. This is a prestigious Art competition that has been going for many years and has put many Artists on the map. All three of his paintings that he submitted for the competition were short listed for the Top 100. Wow this is fabulous news Teboho, well done, what a great achievement. This is a great morale booster for his fledgling career as an artist and will uplift his profile and that of

"ARTISTS UNDER THE SUN"

Yay!!!