Page 95 - The Decorative Painter Spring 2015

Join the Quest for Excellence
2015 Certification
Call for Entries
The Certification Committee invites all SDP members to explore their artistic potential and their passion for decorative painting, while developing and learning the skills needed to enhance the art form.
LEVELS OF CERTIFICATION
CERTIFIED DECORATIVE ARTIST designation is the first step. Applicants are given two painting choices: a still life in oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, or colored pencil; or a stroke design in either oil or acrylic. The applicant may enter one design per judging year. The successful applicant who receives a CDA designation is encouraged to continue in the quest for excellence by submitting for the Master Decorative Artist designation.
MASTER DECORATIVE ARTIST is the second step. After an applicant has received a CDA designation, he or she may submit artwork for an MDA. The applicant must successfully complete all three categories of Still Life, Stroke, and Floral in either oil or acrylic. The applicant may enter one, two, or all three categories in one year.
BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAM
n Applicants will receive detailed critiques of their submissions, and an abundance of resource materials. Through this process, applicants will be given advice on how to improve their painting skills from experts in the field of decorative painting.
n Applicants will learn to become independent and confident artists through trial and error, and by making their own decisions.
n Through articles in The Decorative Painter and Certification Happenings (SDP’s e-zine), applicants will receive support from other CDAs and MDAs who have made the Certification journey before them.
SUBMISSIONS
n Only the current designs are eligible for judging in any specific year. See the 2015 Certification Designs in Issue #3, 2014, of The Decorative Painter.
n All entries must be created by the applicant, with no assistance or advice from others.
n It is not permissible to show the work to others prior to judging.
n All entries must be painted on approved surfaces, specific to the category for which they are applying.
JUNKO TANAKA mda, San Diego, California — MDA Still Life 2014
n The Certification Program is a test of skill, and is not a contest.
n Applicants are encouraged to submit yearly, until a passing score is received.
n Entries will be judged on Overall Effect, Color Management, Blending Skills, Stroke Control, Value Control, Intensity Control, Linework and Detail, Background, Frame, Neatness, and Finish.
n Each entry is carefully judged, and each applicant will receive a personalized critique on his or her entry.
DEADLINES AND TIME FRAME
February 28, 2015: Last day to order Certification portfolios and surfaces. Applicants are encouraged to order materials early, so that they will have ample time to practice and perfect their entries.
April 13, 2015: All Certification entry submissions for 2015 must be postmarked by this date. Judging and return-postage fees must be received by SDP by this date, as well.
May 8–12, 2015: Submitted entries will be judged by a panel of MDAs.
May 13, 2015: All passing entries will be announced at the 2015 SDP Annual Meeting.
JUDGING
For more information on the Certification Program, visit www.decorativepainters.org/certification.php or contact Cristy Keeton, Certification coordinator, at (316) 269-9300 ext. 114 or cristy@decorativepainters.org.
DECORATIVEPAINTERS.ORG
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