©copyright 2010 Sean Wells y Delgado
I just received notice today that I have PASSED the first phase of screening for Spanish Market Artists 2011! I am so excited to share my news. Spanish Market is the annual show of premiere Spanish Colonial Artisans of the Southwest presented by the Spanish Colonial Arts Society held on the Plaza in Santa Fe, NM. They maintain the highest standards of quality, craftsmanship and tradition and it is a true honor to have opportunity to participate in this show. My brother has been a participant for many years now as a tinsmith. His work is impeccable. And we have always aspired to do this show together.
The Screening Process
There are two phases. The first consists of submitting photos of three sample pieces. The letter states “to ensure that your materials, techniques and subject matter fall within the general Guidelines for Spanish Market and that your work meets the minimum standards for craftsmanship and artistry.” I have passed this part of the review. In the letter, they include some juror responses to guide the development of the work and I received some thoughtful positive comments that made me feel like they really spent some time reviewing the work. One I particularly liked read, “Nice linear details.”
©copyright 2010 Sean Wells y Delgado
The second phase, which takes place sometime after the new year, requires submittals of actual examples of finished pieces. As I understand it, this gives them an opportunity to inspect for craftsmanship and execution.
As the letter states, the the three pieces I submitted were juried anonymously. I included the Alma de Maria retablo I completed at Juanito Jimenez’ retablo workshop, a Saint Francis that includes some simple carving and my first La Conquistadora (which became part of the banner image for this blog). It is a larger retablo measuring 12″x18″. I plan to do a whole series on her and will blog about them in a future post, I’m sure. All three of these pieces were done using traditional techniques and earth clays or natural pigments, with the exception of the outlining. I use a sepia watercolor. I would like to replace it with a natural pigment, but have not found a suitable one yet and I like the softness and warmth of the brown over a harsher lamp black.
©copyright 2010 Sean Wells y Delgado
I applied last year in a scramble and, although I liked the pieces I had submitted individually, I did not feel all that good about how I had represented myself, showing much older pieces with my newer work. Disappointed, but not surprised at a rejection, I committed this past year to developing my style. I thought finding a style would come from painting in large volumes. Well, being a mother of two toddlers precludes quantity work. I found that my confidence grew simply in developing my knowledge base. I studied with two retablo artists. I read about the history of the Spanish Colonial arts as well as the traditions of the retablo artist (Santero). I have familiarized myself with the work of other retablo artists. I have been reading diligently about the lives of the Saints. And, I have taken an active interest in the exhibits of the Spanish Colonial Arts Society Museum of Spanish Colonial Arts. I can feel all of this information coming through me when I sit down now to produce. But, there is so much more to learn.
©copyright 2010 Sean Wells y Delgado
Well, thank you all so much for your prayers and positive thoughts as I awaited the good news. As I told a few of you, although I wanted to jury in for many reasons, I trusted there is a very exciting plan set in motion for me this year whether I get in or not. I don’t know if this blog is the right forum to mention this, but last night I had a wonderful dream that my brother and I collaborated on a large image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The challenge in collaborating on a Guadalupe is that her image is traditionally oval and her flames want to be unbounded. In the dream, I carve her flames and as they taper out, they become vines that swirl into flowers in the corners of the image. The organic forms of the vines and flowers flow and fill the shape of the rectangle. This allows my brother an inviting form to frame with a traditional classic frame. His rosette stamp work reflects the corner flowers of the retablo. It was a wonderfully satisfying dream. I plan to make the board just as I have dreamt it. I think the image in the dream is a gift from La Conquistadora, who has been shining on me lately. Thank you, my Lady.
Delgado Arts 