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Mike, are you saying you think a paint-from-life event would turn into a highly subjective, subsidized, media circus?
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We can only hope.
My original complaint, as I tried to lay out in my "Darts" thread, had to do with fact that our present day prestigious portrait competitions pay a mere fraction of what some bloke could win in an English pub dart competition.
Having pondered the complaint, I believe that it comes down to one basic difference - PROCESS. In all these events, whether it be darts, the newly found TV poker, Wimbledon tennis etc., the difference between them and our competitions is that the audience is let in on the process. The mass audience (you have to gather enough of them together so that you can sell them soap, beer, deodorant and such) becomes involved, and are let in on how the final product was achieved. In some cases they are able to second guess as to what they might do next. Ever watched "Who wants to be a millionaire?"
What do we offer? Here, this is what I did, how do you like it? All the stages of planning and execution are kept from the viewing public. Is there any wonder there is such a small audience for what we do.
If Iron Chef Hiroyuki Sakai (sp) can develop a cult following in the U.S. of A. for butchering and cooking sea urchin roe on TV, why not Marvin Mattleson and Karen Wells for creating something of lasting beauty?
I think the answer lies in exposing the process to the public. Not in an academic, dry thirty minute how to video, but in an all out paint to the death competition. All this with judges that are unfair and rude, fair and articulate, sweet and ignorant. Such that the conversation around the water cooler on Monday morning goes something like: "Can you believe the background color choice the challenger made? You're not going to take down Iron Painter William Whittaker by making those kinds of choices." What if a kid said to his mother - I want to grow up to be just like Iron Painter Daniel Greene.
Would it hurt anyones feelings if the price of portraits suddenly took off like a Florida beach front condo? All boats rise with the incoming tide.