Page 50 - The Decorative Painter Spring 2016

Join the Quest for Excellence
2016 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
ACCREDITED DECORATIVE PAINTER designation is the first step. Applicants are given two painting choices: a still life or a stroke design. The successful applicant who receives an ADP designation is encouraged to continue in quest for excellence by submitting for the Certified Decorative Artist designation.
CERTIFIED DECORATIVE ARTIST designation is the second step. Applicants are given two painting choices: a still life or a stroke design. The successful applicant who receives a CDA designation is encouraged to continue in quest for excellence by submitting for the Master Decorative Artist designation.
MASTER DECORATIVE ARTIST is the third 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
■ 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.
■ Applicants will learn to become independent and confident artists through trial and error, and by making their own decisions.
■ Through articles in The Decorative Painter and Certification Happenings (SDP’s eZine), applicants will receive support from other ADPs, CDAs and MDAs who have made the Certification journey before them.
SUBMISSIONS
■ Only the current designs are eligible for judging in any specific year. See the 2016 Certification Designs in Issue 3, 2015, of The Decorative Painter.
■ All entries must be created by the applicant, with no assistance or advice from others.
■ It is not permissible to show the work to others prior to judging.
■ All entries must be painted on approved surfaces, specific to the category for which they are applying.
MASAMI YAMADA MDA — MDA Floral 2015
JUDGING
■ The Certification Program is a test of skill, and is not a contest.
■ Applicants are encouraged to submit yearly, until a passing score is received.
■ 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.
■ Each entry is carefully judged, and each applicant will receive a personalized critique on his or her entry.
DEADLINES AND TIME FRAME
February 28, 2016: 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.
May 9, 2016: All Certification entry submissions for 2016 must be postmarked by this date. Judging and return-postage fees must be received by SDP by this date, as well.
June 3–7, 2016: Submitted entries will be judged by a panel of MDAs.
June 8, 2016: All passing entries will be announced at the 2016 SDP Annual Meeting.
For more information on the Certification Program, visit www.decorativepainters.org/certification.php or contact Miho Halsy, Certification Coordinator, at (316) 269-9300 ext. 121 or miho@decorativepainters.org.
48 The Decorative Painter • ISSUE NO. 1, 2016
DECORATIVEPAINTERS.ORG