Sponsored by The Eggshell Sculptor
would anyone even want to enter
an eggshell carving contest?" I
would be more than happy to
explain but a few of the reasons:
- First of all, there are many people
who are so innately competitive
that they consider any sort of
competition a personal challenge
they simply cannot resist.
- Second, there exists another group
of people who sincerely want to
know how their work stacks up
against the work of other people
with similar experience, judged by
proven experts in the field.
- Third, there are those who are
attracted to and want to win
whatever prizes are being offered,
like the beautiful trophies you see
to the right.
- And finally, there are those very
intuitive people who want to sell
their work and understand the
value of having documentation
stating that they have won or
placed in a prestigious International
- Art Competition, judged by people who are recognized as being among the top ten artists in the
world in this unique medium. These competitors know how to use such publicity and materials to
establish themselves as professionals. They are the ones who use their awards as stepping stones
to get onto television shows; they convert their achievements into press releases that catapult their
careers; they are the people who place their achievements, trophies and certificates next to their
displays not because they are egotists, but because they know it establishes instant credibility that
could be noticed by someone very special who just happens to be walking by at the right moment.
Whatever the motivation, my contest provides a great deal of enjoyment for the entrants, the judges and
for me. So, I do hope that you read through the rules below, and that you join us this year... especially
you newbies with less than one year experience. You'll only be competing against OTHER newbies! Here
we go:
Eggshell Sculptor. There has been a great deal of interest in this annual contest since its
inception in 2001, so get your entries in right away! NEW eggs only, please… those
previously entered in other contests will not be accepted.
CATEGORIES - (There will be a "Novice" Class - less than one year experience, and an "Experienced"
Class - more than one year of experience, within each category):
- Novice Sculpted (three-dimensional work, probably on ostrich or rhea, but not limited to them)
- Experienced Sculpted (three-dimensional work, probably on ostrich or rhea, but not limited to them)
- Novice Carved Emu Eggs
- Experienced Carved Emu Eggs
- Novice Filigree (any type of eggshell)
- Experienced Filigree (any type of eggshell)
- Novice "Other" Category (acid-etched eggs, carved brown chicken shells, anything which does not
fit any of the other three categories, but NO decorated eggs!) - Experienced "Other" Category
SUBMISSION:
- Please submit good photos by mail or high-resolution digital pictures via email, with a maximum of
five views per egg. There is no limit to the number of eggs you may enter. - An entry fee of $10 per egg is required (US funds)
- Photos and entry fees must be received by no later than September 15th, 2007. I will immediately
determine whether or not the photos are good enough for the entry to be fairly judged. If so, you
need do nothing more. If not, you will be informed that you have until October 1st to resubmit
photos. Either learn how to use your camera, get a friend who knows how to take good photos or
hire a professional. Whatever you resubmit will then be presented to the judges "as-is." Bonnie
Gibson (a winner last year) has some excellent photography tips on her site, and even though she
creates gourd art, the photography tips are invaluable. Click here to view them. You can also go to
Google and type in "taking digital photographs" or something similar. I can give you two critical
tips right now: use a tripod or stabilize your camera; take good close-ups using your MACRO
setting. You can even set the "time delay" so you don't risk the jitters from pushing the button. - Photos mailed will not be returned unless accompanied by an appropriate self-addressed, stamped
envelope. - The following information must be provided with each entry, by mail or by email:
- TITLE OF THE PIECE (if none, please specify "No Title," but PLEASE try to come up with a title)
and TYPE OF EGGSHELL (Goose, Rhea, Swan, etc.)
EXPERIENCE: Novice (less than one year of carving) or Advanced (more than one year)
ARTIST'S NAME (and photo of face, Please!)
ADDRESS
WEB PAGE (if available)
EMAIL ADDRESS (if available)
PHONE NUMBER
The Eggshell Sculptor
Attn: Gary LeMaster
415 Terrace Road
Iowa City, IA 53345
JUDGING:
I have once again assembled a panel of respected sculptors to review the entries. All entries must be
received by September 15th, 2007 (except for those needing to be resubmitted, which must be in by
October 1st, 2007). Voting will begin immediately, and the results will be tabulated as quickly as possible.
Winners will be announced and displayed in the October 2007 issue of The Eggshell Sculptor and by
entering, you grant me permission to show them on CD's and/or on my website.
These three individuals have garnered more awards between them for sculpting
than any other three people I know. Pat and Lisa should be familiar names to most of
you as they have won so many categories in my annual Contest year after year, not
to mention egging honors elsewhere. And Quinn, Pat's husband, is a phenomenal
sculptor of eggs, wood and anything else put before him. He's also a certified wood
carving judge. I can't think of three more qualified people to review your entries this
year and I guarantee that you'll get a wealth of vital, constructive feedback.
This year we are going a more traditional route to raise the
standards and credibility of this International Contest.
- "Best of Show" and "Runner-Up to Best of Show" will be
awarded personalized, hand-engraved crystal trophies that are
as impressive as any trophies I've ever seen. - 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in each division of each
category will receive a beautiful, custom-designed ribbon
designating where they placed and with what egg. - 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in each division of each
category will be featured in The Eggshell Sculptor. - There will, as usual, be a few very special surprises along the
way as well...
- General Creativity - 20 points total
- Originality - 15 points - Is the piece particularly inventive or creative, an original work as opposed to
a copy or imitation? As is the case with The International Egg Art Guild, we won't allow class,
seminar or kit eggs. Participants can enter eggs based on designs and instructions provided in my
magazine, The Eggshell Sculptor, however, points will be taken off for originality. - Overall Impression - 5 points - These 5 points might be the most subjective of all. The judges, upon
seeing an entry, will naturally react to what they see in a general way... Is that first impression
positive? That doesn't mean that the carved eggshell has to be pretty. An egg carved to protest the
war in Iraq, for example, would probably not be pretty. But it will leave some sort of impression on
the judges when they first see it. And if, at first glance, the judges' eyes are drawn more to the
stand than to the egg... let's just say that the stand must complement the egg, not overpower it.
- Design - 30 points total
- Form and Shape - 5 points - Since this is a carved EGG contest, the judges will be looking for
filigree, etched and carved eggs which retain the egg's shape, ie. It must look like an egg. Since
one of the goals of this annual contest is to awaken people to the fact that egg art is as valid as any
other type of art, we do want viewers to know that it's an egg. - Harmony and Color - 15 points - When it comes to emu shells, the judges can certainly assign
points based on how well the tinted layers of the shell are used and whether or not proper shading
has been applied, for example. But overall, harmony is easier for the judges to see and to score. Do
the elements flow well in relationship to one another? Is the overall presentation of the egg and its
stand harmonious? Does the stand support the theme of the carving without attracting undue
attention? Some people present their carved eggs in lined boxes or in other innovative ways.
Harmony and color will be looked at just as closely in those cases. - Balance Overall - 10 points - This evaluation isn't always about "balance" in the strictest definition
of the word. Yes, the carving should fit the proportions of the egg (or vice-versa), but an "artistic
composition" allows you to judge balance strictly, or to judge it based on what an artist might be
trying to say by the composition or arrangement of the elements. With relief carving, depth and
perspective can certainly be judged here.
- Workmanship - 50 points total. Half of your total points fall in this category, so it's important that you
understand what the judges will be looking for in terms of "workmanship."
- Neatness - 20 points - This is a very valid criterion for carvers. The judges will be looking for
smooth cuts, places where the bur slipped... It's all about your technique, your accuracy and about
using your burs both effectively and creatively. The judges are excellent carvers themselves and
have many awards under their belts, so they definitely know what to look for in the details. - Degree of Difficulty - 30 points - Is the shell intact? That's a no-brainer. But some things are
extremely difficult to pull off, like filigree where there is very little shell left, a relief carving with an
impressive amount of detail or an emu carving with narrow lines carved down to the white. If you
use this guide, the difficulty really involves all of the elements mentioned above in regard to
creativity and design. The degree of difficulty is also subjective. One judge might assign a high
score to an ostrich relief carving that covers the entire egg, even though it shows some flaws,
because that takes a lot of time and effort. Another judge might be more impressed with a relief
carving on just one side of an egg, when the carving itself is flawless, or nearly so. It can be
assumed that the more complex your design, the higher the degree of difficulty will be, but to be a
winner, that complex design still has to be done well.
So now you know what the judges spend their time poring over as they are presented with photographs of
all the entries. And to make the contest even more meaningful, the judges will be required to share their
thoughts with you in regard to what you did well and they will offer specific suggestions on what you can do
to improve in other areas. Without their feedback, and perhaps mine as well, you would be left in the dark as
to how your work was judged and you'd have no idea what steps you might take to grow and to develop
your skills. I firmly believe that my contest should provide every participant far more than ribbons,
certificates and recognition. It should also be a valuable learning experience.
every contest has been such fun and it's a thrill to see the bar being raised to new heights. There are still
many talented eggshell sculptors out there and I enjoy providing a venue by which their work can be seen
internationally. If you have any questions at all regarding the contest, please feel free to contact me.
*NOTE: Although acid-etched eggs are welcome, eggshells embellished by paint, beads, flock, etc., are not.
The focus is carving and the judges must be able to see it. ~ GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!! ~GL
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Ph. (319) 338-2094
Fax (319) 339-9133
Email eggzotica@mchsi.com
