Call Waiting

A common way for an independent artist to get work in a public show is to respond to an Artist Call. The call specifies who’s organizing the show, the theme and how it’s considered, the acceptable type of work (2D, 3D, jewelry, video, or transient, etc.), when the proposed exhibit will happen (either real or online), when the artist will be notified of acceptance, what’s required to respond (further info about the artist and their work), and pay the fee (artists pay upfront, usually $35 to $50 unless it’s a public agency). Typically I respond if I have the funds, find the theme of interest and have a chance of showing my work. Responding to calls does not guarantee inclusion.
 
Last night I responded to a gorgeous offer for an online showing involving six themes.
          The six themes were war, freedom, time, love, form and space. Initially I figured on addressing each theme since they represent vast leeway for abstraction and my personal work. I started going through the artmsr.com galleries and found two or three that addressed an aspect of each theme. However, with limited funds I limited my choice to two artworks addressing WAR as competition and expression.
 
My work does not display war as news media might, with an emphasis on politics, difficult images of battlefields, destruction and mangling, or beautiful night sky works of missiles or bombs resembling firework displays. Possibly the most famous war photo for Western culture is the very political Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima (1945). I don’t do stuff like that either.
 
I selected In a Rainbow of Chaos, a 20 x 11 inch principally watercolor work:

The aspect I am addressing is the idea that our universe is based on chaos and war impresses me as chaotic. Part of this chaos is the general and elemental competition for life. Trees compete for water and mineral rights, squirrels compete for food and safety issues, individual people compete—in a loud or soft way—with everything that might hinder their desires. Viruses and bacteria learn ways to thrive that scientists describe as attacking like alligators, like leopards, or other animals.
 
Being human does not exempt us from this play. It does possibly expand it since we compete on abstract grounds—religion, image, power, reputation, and whatever. Whether this exists for other life forms is yet unknown.
 
 
My second choice for submission to the war theme is Voluptuous Woe, a painting on canvas 24 x 18 inches:

For sure war is one factor generating a sizable share of woe. Woe is defined by the Encarta Dictionary for North America as unfortunate happening or grief; voluptuous is defined as sensual or indulgent. This applies mostly to us, as countless humans seem to display almost revelry in sorrow. Likely aside from professional mourners earning a buck, the experience can offer a cathartic release. It’s unknown if plants or micro life forms experience grief or view anything as voluptuous. It has been seen that some animals grieve, typically for the death of a mate, but whether they find it helpful is yet to be observed.