Think Outside the Box

Welcome to the Think Outside the Box challenge where you are invited to do the impossible

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1st Invitational (2006) Theme: Mermaid on Amethyst

See all entries:  click here Best of Show:  click here

Challenge:  The mermaid sculpt is a pewter sculpt of approximately the 54mm scale, but lacks fine detail as it was not originally marketed with the anticipation it would be painted.  If you are able to figure out how to separate the mermaid from the geode without destroying the amethyst gem in the process that is fine as long as the end product includes the stone and mermaid in some fashion.  The geode may not be painted in the final presentation. Find a way to prime and paint the mermaid anyway. Deal with the crystal ball in her hand while you're at it.  Be unique. Think outside the box.

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2nd Invitational (2008) Theme:  to be announced

See all entries: Best of Show:

Challenge:  to be announced

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Some thoughts about this project...... We live in a continuum of creativity. I don't believe that someone is either "an artist" or "not an artist".  We each journey through life on a spectrum of talent.  No one is either 100 % left-brained (and "thus" an artist) or totally right-brained (and accordingly has no artistic propensities at all). And whereas one may have little talent in one craft, one may be posititioned remarkably high in talent in some other skill.  Each of us goes through life jockeying for position on our individual spectrum, trying daily to improve our talent and ranking as an painter, sculptor, business person, teacher, doctor, lawyer, cab driver, journalist, chef, dancer, actress, ainger, office worker, politician, waitstaff, ... whatever work we contribute as a member of society. I surmise that what sets some apart from others and to be defined as "artists", is the ability to think beyond boundaries. To look not at what "can't be done", but to imagine what "can" be done. The popular catch-phrase and 21st century American verb for this is to "think outside the box." The Queen of Credits "Think Outside the Box" Invitational exhibitions were established to promote and invite artists, from all positions on the continuum of creativity and talent, to push their envelopes.  The sculpt of each exhibition intentionally presents challenges that require each artist to find solutions, to turn impossibilities into possibility, and to make the ordinary extraordinary. The Think Outside the Box exhibitions are dedicated to my 6th grade teacher, Mrs. Thompson.  It probably was a very humble composition.  Afterall, it was written with only the skill and education of an 11 year old.  Yet she crumpled up my essay without reading it and tossed it in the garbage can, and sent me back to my seat with the ominous foretelling, "Nothing you write will ever be important."  My initial thought was, "wow, my writing is so poor that people don't even have to read it to know it is worthless."  But later critics in my life found a little merit in my pennings worthy of encouragement, and Mrs. Thompson eventually became relegated to the position of lifelong inspiration to do the impossible, to find solutions to the unsolvables, and to go beyond uncrossable boundaries that others or even myself might imagine exist. My CMON ranking reflects I have little talent as an artist, but my contribution to society today is as a "wordsmith."  I work daily at my "art".  As an attorney for more than 20 years, I've learned that the pen really is mightier than the sword and great things can be accomplished for others and myself by using the skill I was given and continuously work to improve.  I've also learned a great deal about appreciation and the importance of encouraging artists--in all walks and talents of life--to aspire and to be inspirational. The Think Outside the Box project is in recognition and appreciation of all those who work daily to better themselves, to improve their skills, to overcome obstacles, and defy odds using creativity, imagination, and perserverance in whatever "art" each of us has been gifted with in life.

The picture appearing in the banner on this website is the artwork and  property of Josephine Wall and is used on this website with permission.   For rights to reproduce the artwork on this website, please contact the legal owner of the images.