I did not win, hooray!

I participated in the ArtLove speed painting competition on June 7 in Charlottetown, and it was a blast – lots of fun but quite intense. 

Some of it was unexpected and I had to adapt quickly – from the size and proximity of the audience, to the volume, to each of the pigments of the red, yellow, and blue paint provided (we were not allowed to use our own) all being very different from those I had practiced with. At least the white and black were the same!

There were 16 painters, split into 2 rounds by random draw, and I was in the second round. The painters were all encouraging and supportive of each other, even lending brushes and discussing how to handle anxiety. Many different styles of art, too – landscapes, abstracts, still lifes, and portraits/figures.

We weren’t allowed to have any reference material at the easel, we had to paint from imagination and memory.  My first painting was one I had practiced in various styles and colour schemes before, as my reference photo was one I had taken just last summer and which I had previously explored in an online class about Translating Landscape in December 2024.  

It turned out even better than my speed practice versions, and after judging and audience voting, I was chosen as one of the two finalists (out of eight) from my round! 

There were four finalists in total, who each had to create a second, even larger painting – 20” x 30” – in only 20 minutes. 

But honestly, I was still wiped out from the previous round, and my mind went blank – not only about recalling the second image I had planned to paint if I got through, but I couldn’t even think clearly enough to look up my practice references on my phone before I had to go take my place for the final round.

However, a group of artists who I had met in oil painting classes taught by Kathy Marlene Bailey had come in the audience to cheer me on, and I took inspiration from their presence and support. I got out of my mental blank by using the memory of my major oil painting class project (Receding) as my mental reference, and similar coastal scenes near my home in Murray Harbour, which are also my “happy places,” the spaces where I feel most grounded and connected to the beauty around me, and where I strongly feel the creative spark to portray that feeling in my art. 

Of course, that traditional glaze oil version had taken many transparent layers, many hours every week, over 7 months, with photo references and expert mentorship, instead of having only 20 minutes and unfamiliar opaque acrylics! Despite all that, I still not only managed to get through a second speed painting, but I turned out another painting I was proud of.

I did not win the final round, and I was delighted with that result. I loved the final painting by winner Kristen Moore, and she definitely deserves to represent Charlottetown at the Shediac Hom’Art Festival in September. 

Honestly, I am relieved that the winner’s responsibility did not fall to me this year. I will try again next year if I get the chance, and hopefully my life will be much more settled at that point…. 

This year is just not good timing. I needed to be able to walk away from the event thinking “that’s done, on to the next thing” instead of thinking about getting ready for an even more intense competition farther from home.

This past month my beloved elderly dog is going through some health issues, and she had scheduled surgery on June 10, just a few days after the competition, so that’s where all my mental and emotional energy went this week. She came through surgery fine despite her advanced age… but recovery is being slow, and we’re in daily contact with the vet. It’s stressful. 

And also we’re planning to move (not far – within our village) within the next 3 months, we are not sure when yet, but might end up being right around the time of the Shediac Hom’Art Festival.

So, the result of the competition was the best possible outcome for me: 

• I was a finalist, so I get a huge confidence boost
• But I didn’t win, and so I don’t have to juggle the stress of preparing for the even bigger event while preparing to move house at the same time
• Both of my paintings sold in the silent auction, with plenty of bids on each, affirming that others see value in my art and want it in their own spaces
• I learned that my art is “good enough” even if I don’t agonize over tiny details for hours and weeks
• The experience was unlike anything I had done before, far outside my comfort zone, but I followed through, and I surprised and impressed myself by what I accomplished 
• I learned about how this kind of event affects my health issues, so I can better prepare for next time 
• I proved to myself that I can discern what is reasonable for me to commit to doing, and I have the capacity to follow through on my commitments, despite my chronic illnesses – which is something that I normally have a lot of anxiety about.

The many speed paintings I made in practice also gave me a huge skills boost, and I am looking forward to going back through them in a more relaxed mindset, making refinements, and offering some finished ones for sale. Follow my newsletter to find out when they become available, and maybe get more behind-the-scenes progress updates along the way.

In the meantime, speaking of “on to the next thing”: 

I will be displaying my art at the Murray River Leona Giddings Library on Saturday, June 14, from 1 to 5 pm.

It is part of a celebration of local creativity, alongside the grand unveiling of Brenda’s Quilt – an amazing work of textile art that will be permanently on display in the library.

Please come check it out, see all the amazing things being created in our community, and chat with the artists and artisans about their work. It’s free!