Lesley Humphrey Writings

The Question:  Is the artist (being juried) entitled to the judges’ full comments on his/her work?  

My response:  Gail, first, thank you for even wanting to know my opinion.  Clearly you do not take judging lightly, and for this I am grateful, as so many so-called "experts" tromp rough shod over often budding talent.

I was not there; I did not see the work; I do not know the organization you judged for…. However, I can tell you that I always try to do what is best to ensure the positive progression of the artist and their art.  As a judge, I should be completely comfortable with the fact I have given the art and the artist the respect the entry deserves.  Also, I always ask myself the question in such circumstances "Am I serving the ego (i.e., hierarchy, establishment, sales, power, fear, etc.,) or am I serving the highest Art?"  I always want to serve Art and give 150% toward encouraging those aspects that serve this purpose.  If this means staying behind, meeting an up-and-comer who is sincerely interested in knowing more about his/her work from "experts", or giving them extra critique, then absolutely, I will.  Otherwise, why jury at all? 

The prizes and awards given speak for themselves.  It’s those that didn’t get the prizes that need our help.  I hope this helps, and I wish you all the very best with jurying shows in the future.  My warmest regards to you.

Can you imagine having a friend who visited your sister for 8 solid years in a nursing home, every Monday, come rain or shine?  Marjorie’s own sister, Janet, became ill with a mysterious disease, and Marjorie, true to form, never left her side even for a day.  I wondered…. What could I possibly do to show I care?  I asked myself, what do two sisters need in such crises?  The answer was…. their mother….

16 x 12 oil on panel.  2008.  "MAGGIE & PIT BROW LASSES"

Knowing what a "Lancashire lass" I am at heart; knowing I come from a family of Wigan coal miners, some years ago Marjorie gave me an old, blurred photo of her Mum "Maggie" (middle),  a pit-brow lass of the Wigan coalfield way back when.  She said if I ever wanted to paint a pit-brow lass, would I consider painting Maggie?  I painted this for her while I was in Wigan, in September.  I thought Marjorie would faint when I gave it to her!  All she could say was "Oh Lesley!"  She then hauled it around as if it were a wallet photo for the next few days.  I heard Maggie even went to Bingo and met Marjorie’s friends there!  I LOVED doing this painting.  I LOVE Marjorie (and Sam); cherished, beautiful people in my family’s life from way back when.  A good use for Art!  

No…..I wasn’t doing my Cecilia Bartolli impersonation!  It’s me getting excited about painting a pony at Penny Hill Farm, Blackpool…. The site of my 2008 workshop for the horse painters of Lancashire (some from the Northwest Society of Equestrian Artists and others from Absolutely Animal.)  There’s Zoe in the background with my model.

We started off with a charcoal/erase method first to learn to identify the planes quickly….

 Then  we rapidly sought shapes in shadow and light…

Continuing on….

De- derrr.  These some of the smashing studies the students did from life.  Each painting was about 30-45 minutes.  We had a fabulous ex-police horse that stood for us; a massive bay.  (I can’t believe how much I express with my hands!)