Image: Rhapsody, 5"x7", watercolor on board, ©Rebecca Latham

Rivalry and Competition

I am a part of a family of artists. My Mother and sister paint. Many of you may already know this.

We have always shared a studio, or located our studios close to one another since I began painting, drawing, etc. It has it’s benefits.

Not having extended periods of studio isolation is nice, where otherwise the only person I would be speaking to is the cat (he thinks he’s a person). An impromptu critique of something that’s bothering me, or one of them, can pull a painting out of a dreary stage. ..and then of course, running out of burnt umber and having some to borrow only a few steps away is a lifesaver. There are probably others perks as well, but I won’t go on..

We've, I've, been interviewed a number of times concerning this. Reporters, and I suppose the general public, find it intriguing. They often, however, assume there is a viscous nature lurking behind studio doors - there are always questions:

Do you compete against each other? Yes of course. We often show in the same venues, some of those are competitions or juried exhibits.

Do you get along? Do you sabotage each other’s work? If you and your sister are painting pieces for the same exhibit, do you, like, sneak into the other’s studio and mess up their entry?
I’m sure that would make for a very entertaining read, but.. Um. No. (I'm never quite sure if they are serious or trying to be humorous - perhaps the dividing line on that is blurred? ..anyway. )

I would imagine, if that did actually happen, the sharing of or closely located studios would have a moving van parked out front in no time. Honestly, I'd rather set fire to my paintings than damage one of theirs. I love seeing my family in the same exhibits as my work and am cheering them on when they win. ..even if it means I didn't.

Just a few months ago, my sister skunked me in a show. I was delighted. Really. She needed that boost. She's been fighting to get back into the world of shows and exhibits, even just managing to complete work, after her serious health issues she has faced. ..and she soared upon arrival. I couldn't be happier watching that unfold.

I am not saying that I don't care about awards, or exhibits and shows. I'm honored when something I've done is seen to have merit to earn that spot at an opening or accolade, just as I'm honored to have so many people following my work in social media and real life. ..but all of that is dwarfed by the core reasons I do this.

So, sadly for the lovers of great drama, there isn't family rivalry and fierce competition. But for the record, I have had a painting or two sabotaged when the cat wanted to help. So it really wasn’t malicious, just the curiosity (or playfulness) that killed the painting.

©Rebecca Latham
http://lathamstudios.com/rebecca/2013/07/rivalry-and-competition/

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