Sometimes You Win

Sometimes You Win

Sometimes you win…
And sometimes you don’t!

Everyone says the lesson is in the when you don’t.
It is a cliché, but today I agree.

I participated in this plein air painting competition that I attend each year in a gorgeous hill town over an hour from Rome almost to the mountains called Arsoli.

I attend this competition each year and each year I spend for ever looking for just the right spot to paint.

This morning was no exception.

 

Morning at the Crossroads, Arsoli
Oil on Linen
15.7 x 19.7″
$1,500 | Available

I chose this spot because it was the only one among the other contenders with any shade to speak of. Sellout? No way.

In the end this was a fine choice for the composition and though under pressure to make a larger sized painting in just 7 hours, I am happy with the end result. For me this painting conveys the light, air and silent sunny beauty of this crossroads.

I did not win any prize at today’s competition (nor have I ever won one at this particular competition) and I’m not going to lie, I was kind of bummed!

The “what I learned” is something that we all learn all the time and artists learn relentlessly: to be happy with the effort no matter the outcome.

Diving again from time to time into the well of our well-being and confidence that doesn’t come from anything outside of ourselves is crucial. It’s not something that we should have to do everyday, but every once and awhile it feels good to remember that you’re awesome all by yourself.