What's your experiences in competing?

I noticed today that the rules for the FABIAC competitions are posted. I was vaguely considering entering for face, but then I got some ideas for body. After I read everything, I started brainstorming what ifs and it lead me to some questions/thoughts.

1. I've never been to a convention before, let alone competed in one, so my first thought is of fear. Maybe I should sit this one out, observe others, watch and learn. A lot can be gaind from this, apply to next time.

2. I absolutely love the creative challenge, and it won't come very often. I would hate to sit this one out and miss the opportunity to get involved, more do and learn. Go ahead and jump in with both feet.

So I put it to the forum. What are your thoughts/experiences in conventioning and competing/observing?

okay.. if you wanna compete, then compete.

I've done it a couple of times and it's fun, but it can be stressful.

I'm not even allowed to participate in the face comp because I'm an instructor(actually, I'm just an assistant which is a glorified helper..lol) but I still have to compete against the other instructors.

I'm still debating on whether or not I want to compete. It's a lot of work.. you have to have a plan and be prepared with all of your supplies and stuff.

You're up against MANY other folks, and there are only 3 place winners. Also, not sure if they've changed it, but you don't get to know where you fall if you didn't place in the top 3.. which has always bothered me. I want to know whether I placed 4th, or last!!!

You have to remember that it's not the end of the world if you don't win, and you have to remember to relax and don't stress out during the comp.

Some folks really can't take the pressure and they kinda have a mini breakdown.

Also, I've seen folks that are just trying it out for the first time, so their work isn't all that great and then they get stuck with a snobby model and the model gave them a hard time because they didn't like what the artist painted on them. Crappy.

I say, if you want to give it a try, then go right ahead. You're not losing anything. At least you can get pics of what you painted

Go for it. If you like planning and designing it is a great way to get to an end product/have a goal!

But... if you can arrange your OWN model and take everything you'll need with you!

Compete if you wish. I like making up the design and seeing how other have done things over the same theme. But I don't like I don't get to know what is bad and good about the design. Like: ok design, average line work, minus for using something not allowed (like gluing a rhinestone on), fantastic base colours. Then you knew what you had to work on

Thanks for the input. I wouldn't expect to win, just enjoy the experience. But I'm surprised to not get a sort of critique sheet back to get feedback on your work. I think that would be awesome. Yeah, it's sometimes hard to hear what was wrong with your work, even if you have an "opportunity for improvement" attitude, but the feedback would be invaluable.

If I were able to bring my own model with me, she/he would have never done a competition like this before either. I saw the tips for models on the site. Anything to else for them to know?

If this is your first time going to FABIAC, I would observe only. I would hate for the stress of a competition to take away for the experience of the conference.

I am surprised that they don't offer a critique sheet or what order you came in. Maybe suggest this to them and they might add it.

I applaud for even considering it. I am such a big fat chicken when it comes to these things!

The sources of stress are:

Time
Snobby model
Not meeting one's own expectations
The general air in the room of impatience
Not eating/staying hydrated like one should
Ugly Intracranial Hypertension disorder acting up at the wrong time

Anything else? Don't get me wrong, I'm not minimizing, these are/can be big, I want to know what I'd be in for. Helps to weigh out the decision making.

I say just go and use the opportunity as one to get the chance to body paint and have it photographed professionally. Just don't think of it as a competition, then there is no added stress. Just go, paint, and have fun.

Go for it - control what you can - paint - design- model -pray for the rest. Keep moving forward, take risks with your work. Go with no expectations and come away with experience. Have Fun -this is fun stuff! Everyone starts at the begining, we just start at different times.

I always compete if there is a competition I can enter... makes the trip more worthwhile for me.

And I have to say that in most of the major comps that I've competed in that I did get feedback - at one event a judge tracked me down to tell me why I won, at another I received ALL the scoring sheets in the mail along with a professional photo print of my entry, at another the entrants were allowed to view their tally sheets but not keep them...

Not sure WHY the contestants wouldn't be allowed to know their specific results? That is REALLY important - particularly for a multiple paint event - you need to know where you stand and what you need to do to move up!

I'm competitive and enjoy the process so for me it is a given that I will enter the competitions.

YOU CAN DO IT!~

Yes, it's stressful.....I've seen artists & models lose it, (meltdowns like Ashley talked about) and that would mess with my head & be really distracting if I was next to them.
Between stress & my nerves I personally couldn't do it.

You can always do a "run through" on one of the nights everyone is jamming before the competition.

I know you're jazzed after last weekend's body painting.
I say use that energy and go for it!

Go for it. It will be a great experience. Use it as a great learning curve and have fun.