Artist of the Year Awards 2011 - McClelland Guild of Artists

1st Place 2011 - McClelland Guild of Artists

Because of the uncertain future I decided to study for the Certificate IV and begin writing my own Introduction to Drawing course. I have done a bit of studying and workshops with various artists and noticed that they are heavily leaning towards practical work and not so much theory. I will be presenting a course that is balanced with basic understanding of materials, methods and history of drawing along with what I call the fun stuff, of putting these into practice.

Because of the studying and search for work, I didn't know if I would have the time to devote to exhibitions and putting artworks into various guilds for the monthly demonstrations, but did my best to submit something each month if I could. Fortunately, some of the works I had planned for exhibitions were in time and suitable for the demos, so they got their first outing and public viewing at McClelland.

I also placed works into Berwick and the pastel society during the year and had a few monthly wins and some very positive feedback from fellow artists but it was at McClelland, where I seem to have done the best.

I am very happy and honoured to receive the Artist of the Year Award for the second year in succession at McClelland Guild of Artists. This year the honour board for Artist of the Year was reintroduced with lovely gold plaques going back to about the year 2000. It was a real thrill to see my name on it three times, first as a co-winner and in the last two years as sole winner.

Along with a significant sale recently, a win at the Pastel Society of Victoria 2011 Exhibition and a couple of wins in the professional division at the monthly demos at the pastel society this caps off the year very nicely. It also comes after a very busy Spring 2011 with seven art exhibitions entered, more than the original four I had planned. (I was invited to the extra events so was very happy to have been asked)

The coming year may involve a new load of studies, as I have been reserved a place to start a Diploma of Visual Arts either part or full time (yet to be decided). I also have five exhibitions planned for Autumn and it is still December! This along with getting my drawing course off the ground and other activities means that I may not have the time to enter as many works in the monthly demos as previous years, but I look forward to seeing everyone else doing well each month and will be attending as there is much still to learn.

I also hope to contact the Vic Arts Society who kindly offered me the opportunity for membership last year. I haven't had the time to devote to following up on this but as my still life won first place at their venue this year, I am now very keen to get in contact again and see if the offer is still available. This along with writing editorials for the pastel society newsletter and various articles for my website and various professional web outlets means another busy year coming up.

So, in wrapping up, 2011 has been a very hard year in some ways and very productive and successful in others. There has been a lot of growth and improvement in skills and education, as well as some amazing support from friends and colleagues as well as my wonderful husband, without whom I could not have achieved as much as I have.

It was a hope to do well again this year in the Artist of the Year Awards and I am very happy to have this acknowledgment of my efforts. To you all I give my thanks, friendship and love. Now let's see what 2012 has in store for us!

Janice Mills

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