FLAT OUT UNDER PRESSURE…
Flat Out Under Pressure is a local 24-hour annual competition put on and hosted by Greenville's Metropolitan Arts Council. According to MAC's website: "We're home to clay makers, dancers, musicians, painters, actors, poets, sculptors, and a kaleidoscope of others. Individual artists, collectives, and organizations of all sizes are shaping Greenville into an arts and culture hub. MAC exists to stimulate and support this thriving arts scene and help more people enjoy and appreciate it." I was aware of the Metropolitan Arts Council, I knew some of Greenville's well-known and top artist was/is connected to this organization through going to local exhibitions and galleries. A friend, Mrs. Barbara Castañeda- a phenomenal mixed media artist, encouraged me to apply to the competition to help me flow in creativity and get outside my comfort zone. I knew nothing of the competition before applying to it.
How it works, artists can apply online, and once you receive your confirmation email, you then choose what surface you want to use for the competition. After your surface is stamped, you have 24 hours to develop an art piece. You have the option to create on one or more surfaces, but only one can be entered for the juried art show. I went in at 9:30 Friday morning to get my canvas stamped and started creating around 11 am that morning. By 9 pm that night, my eyes were getting heavy, and my head space was becoming foggy. I knew when entering the competition I would mimic previous art pieces I had created. It would have elements of charcoal or pencil drawings, some floral arrangements, and lastly, paper and molding paste to add texture. I knew I would be safe staying within the lines of comfort to ensure I completed the piece by 9:30a the following day.
While burning the midnight oil, I made the mistake of redownloading Instagram to check out the hashtag #foup2022 to see other artists' progression. Some artists had finished their pieces, and others we were halfway through. I was amazed by how seemingly effortlessly these artists were able to produce work. While it was good to know, I was beginning to waste time. I deleted the app again, but as it's been said, "a little bit of yeast makes the whole batch of dough rise…". Watching and focusing more on other people began to feed my insecurity that I may not belong in this room yet. I knew when entering this competition I did not want to look like an emerging artist. I wanted to feel like I belonged among some of Greenville's finest artists. That night, I began putting an unhealthy performance pressure on myself instead of enjoying the process. I came to a stopping point, decided to sleep on it, and went to bed around 1 am. I got back up at 5 am and worked on finishing what I started. I simply wanted to be in the room. I was never competing against the other artist. My biggest competition that night was ME. I wanted to show up for myself by putting myself in a room I had never experienced before. I was merely pushing past my fear and completing what I had started.
That night the reception was held at 7 pm, in the room where over 100 artists from the Upstate. Some are well-known artists in the southeast or just well connected through local art centers and galleries. The room was tight with excitement, old friends and colleagues bustlings like busy bees chatting and catching up. My sister and I watched like flies on the back wall. When the ceremony began, we could not even see the people with the mics talking. There were seven placement spots. First place, took home a monetary award and a trip to Italy for 2!
"And the first place winner is.... we need a drum roll...Destiny Oliphant! "
"Is she here?"
"Oh, here she is...."
My mouth dropped as I turned to Zoe, my sister, and said, "Are you kidding me..." My heart flutters, my stomach churns, and my palms are sweaty even as I type this out. My planted feet shuffle up to the front of the room with my sister close behind me.
"excuse me... excuse me..." I say as I part the crowd bashfully. I greeted the ones giving the award, and I tried to avoid what I felt at the moment, the awkward gaze of my "artist peers." I make my way back to the back wall I was holding up before with my envelope in my shaky hands. My body must have gone into shock because people kept coming up to me saying things like "where's your work" and "are you Destiny? Wow, congratulations..." "your work is great, Destiny..." I could only respond with a smile of disbelief, shaking my head and stumbling over my words. The introvert in me wanted to say, "Yall...wait..wait...I just wanted to stand in the back and observe...not win...this was not the plan..." It felt like all eyes were trying to figure out who I was.
Mrs. Barbara came, found me, and nurturing embraced me. "I had to find you ...this is overwhelming, but I am so happy for you!!"
My elementary school art teacher embraced me and welcomed me, saying, "I was like, that's my student..."
The lesson in this story is simple...
Put your head down and work.
Honor and listen to the ones that have been in the room before you.
Just start walking even if you’re afraid, if God is in it… He’ll make it clear for you.
