The Muddy Colors booth at SFAL 2 in 2013.

Well, this seems like an apropos follow up to yesterday’s post. We’ve spoken on Muddy Colors before about the great importance of conventions. How presenting your art in a professional and public manner is very important when trying establish, maintain and expand your career. I know a lot of artists who have gotten their big break thanks to their exhibiting at a convention.

But conventions can be really expensive, especially for those just starting out. Dishing out $500 for a table, and shipping all of your stuff (both ways) is not always financially feasible for a budding artist who is still trying to land their first job. It’s a bit of a Catch 22… you need to advertise to make money, but you need money in order to advertise.

So what is an aspiring illustrator to do?

Well, we here at Muddy Colors would like to help you get the exposure you need. As such, we are proud to announce our Second Annual ‘Muddy Colors: Rising Stars’ Showcase.

Spectrum Fantastic Art Live has once again been generous enough to donate FREE DISPLAY SPACE to four lucky would-be illustrators at the upcoming SFAL 3 in Kansas City. You can have your painting hang in a professional setting, for thousands to see, right alongside our own.

This display space is the very same display space that all of the professional artists are paying hundreds of dollars for… and it doesn’t cost you a thing! There is no fee to submit, no fee to exhibit, and no commission will be taken should your painting sell. The only cost to you is getting you and your painting there and back. You will even get a free badge for the whole event, just like any other exhibitor.

Here is how to submit:

-Send an email to: Muddycolors@gmail.com
-In the header, place the subject: Muddy Colors: Rising Stars 2014
-ATTACH a single scan of the work you wish to submit for consideration (no more than 1400 pixels in length).
-In the email, also include: Your full name, a phone number, and medium/dimension info for the attached image.
-(You may submit up to 3 pieces of art, but each entry must be submitted in separate emails.)
-Deadline for Submission is January 26th, 12:00 am EST

A panel of Muddy Colors contributors will view all the entires, and select their four favorite pieces for inclusion. We will personally contact the winners no later than February 2nd.

This showcase is open to artists from any country, and artworks of ANY medium. However, the only stipulation is that there must be a physical piece of art to hang. That means if you work digitally, you will need to print, and frame your work in a professional manner. Please be certain you are capable of framing and shipping your work prior to submitting.

Last year’s ‘Rising Stars’ winners (L to R): Ryan Lee, Kim Kincaid, Liz Pulido, Mia Araujo