So today and tomorrow was/is the judging for the Federal, today was the first round and out of 192 entries, mine was one of 21 that made it to the 2nd round which will be tomorrow morning. Mine was also one of very few that got an IN vote from all 5 judges (you need 3 or more IN votes to go on to the next round). Winning this competition is pretty much life changing, so here's hoping, but I'm not holding my breath either. I've come pretty close a few times over the years and haven't won yet so have learned not to get too excited but it will be fun to see how it plays out. I have 4 favorites (better than mine) that I predict will win. The competition is in Virginia or is it NY this year...last year it was in San Francisco, first time on the west coast, so Hallie went with us and got to sit in on the judging. :thumb: She could still see then...man, seems like she lost her sight years ago! :confused:
All fingers & paws crossed here for you to win good thoughts too.Papbouv,Patches and Buddy
God Dee Dee, we will be praying crossing fingers and ask my Dad to help out.
Roberta
Thanks U2, (and special thanks to your dear Dad Roberta) the judging just ended, I didn't win but I did make it to the final cut which was whittled down to 7 entries. I think I ended up in 5th overall, so is the best I've done yet and the top winners did deserve it they were my top picks also. Now I'm psyched to start next years entry! :thumb:
Can we see the picture anywhere???????????????????????????????????????????
Here he is. I won't get him back for a year, the top 20 go on tour to different galleries and places for the year. My entry from last year is still on the tour should be getting him back before long.
Are you sure that is not a picture Dee Dee................Congratulations. How long does it take to paint and what size is it.
Roberta
It's 7 x 10, it takes about 40 - 50 hours (not counting going out taking photos and putting the sketches together). If they only had a dachshund stamp it would be a lot easier. :grin: They don't fly away when you point a lens at them. (at least most don't). :wink:
Congratulations on making the tour. Of course we think you should have won. Do you think it helps to have won previously? Looks like Joe Hautman is a judge's favorite.
Thanks Rich :) I would have been a little embarrassed to have won over the ones that beat me, they really are deserving. Gives me something more to strive for!
I think the only thing that winning previously would help is that you know you are doing the right stuff that makes a good stamp. (some of the artists are really good but don't follow a good stamp design). They don't let you sign the entries so supposedly the judges don't know who painted what, but most of us that have been doing this a while, can pick out who did many of them just by their style, so I'm sure the judges can too.
Another Hautman brother won last year (he's won multiple times too) and the third brother got 3rd this year. But they really are darn good! Here is Jim Hautman who won last year, holding Hallie while we were on break waiting to hear who the winner was. And a picture of my entry last year on the big screen, with a sillouhette of the back of my daughters head who was sitting on my lap. :heart: (the judge on the right hadn't got the memo yet it was time to vote). :)
Congratulations on your move up the duck ladder. We all think you already in the elite of this genre. Is this stamp just for esoteric purposes or is it used in some way?
Thanks Mike! Yes, when hunters get their license, they have to buy a stamp also which is their main function. But a lot of people also collect the stamps and they also sell prints and other things. This raises millions of dollars for preserving wetlands and duck habitat every year. The winner has to travel a lot the year after they win, talking at different events and signing prints and what not. I don't ever expect to actually win but if I did, someone would be the highest paid puppy nanny in the world traveling with us! (any takers? Ha!)
*splat* I don't know how there could have been any better.... 'tis Awesome !
You're the Winner in my eyes, DD! Wow! What an honor to be so high in the rankings.