Announcing our top 50 Global Talent Search 2015 Semi-Finalists!
We knew we would be amazed, but wow were we totally blown away by the outstanding quality of art submissions we received.
See the 50 semi-finalists here.
What is the Global Talent Search? It’s our annual competition to find the next top artist to represent. They win a boatload of assignments, licenses, and consultations with some of our favorite companies. (I will tell you that our GTS winners of previous years are totally booked solid!)
The fifty semi-finalists are from all over the world.
21 Europe
21 North America
6 Australasia
1 Africa
1 South America
80% have taken one or more of my e-courses, Make Art That Sells
The competition consists of three assignments. In the first assignment we asked the artists to envision what our fabulous and fictitious Brooklyn shop owner, Antoinette, would wear to bike to work.
Meet “Antoinette” who is the character in the three assignments.
She needs sneakers that she can bike in, instead of her platform boots.
Antoinette’s shoes. She’s in need of sneakers for bike-riding!
Q: Lilla, how did your team select the 50 semi-finalists out of the boatload of incredible submissions?
A: First and foremost, would we love to represent this look? On a gut level, is this a style we are infatuated with?
We considered the following in selecting the semi-finalists:
-Will this style get lots of work with our outstanding clients?
-Does the art stand out from the crowd? Do you get a sense of a well-formed and unique style?
-Did the artist give 110%? You’ll see, for example, that some artists illustrated the print on the inside of the shoe or embellished the bottom of the shoe itself.
-Is the technique strong and executed well?
-The color palette and the overall composition of the piece is masterful.
Why is the GTS important to our clients? It allows the agency to continue to deliver the freshest and best work in the industry along with our list of stellar artists. We are the place to find the newest and best talent from all over the world.
What’s next for the semi-finalists?
-The 50 semi-finalists have been notified today that they made it to the next round. You know they are going to be over the moon!
-They will receive their second assignment today as well. By the way, I loved writing the assignments and continuing the narrative of Antoinette. She’s up to some pretty amazing antics! The purpose of a narrative is to help the artist engage with the subject matter and demographic.
-The second assignments are due September 14th.
-Our panel of 20 top industry judges will privately select their favorites based on their highly-regarded expertise.
-The Public Gallery opens on September 16th for live voting for the People’s Choice. Here’s your chance to vote!
-We announce the six Finalists on September 23rd. Watch for that.
Check out my three videos I just recorded on:
-How I selected the 50 semi-finalists
-How to deal with not getting selected in a competition and how to turn that into an opportunity
-How to deal with getting selected and channeling your inner art god/dess.
Remember, you can cast your vote for your favorite on September 16th through September 21st. Stay tuned on the blog for more details. See all of the key dates here!
Again, we are honored that such top talent has participated in our annual Search!
Warm regards,
Lilla, Beth, and the Studio Ladies
Thanks Lilla, for the encouraging words. Love your pep talks in the video’s, it’s so considerate and you’re the best mentor! I will definitely continue and work harder :)
And last but not least: big congratulations to all the amazing artists that made it to the next round! Good luck to you all!!
Congratulations to all semi finalists!
Interesting to see that not everyone made a sneaker, there are some boots and slip ons in there. And some are these huge illustrations in which you can hardly see the sneakers or its details. Interesting presentations!
now I am even more excited who will win and why! I can learn so much from all the 50 pieces and I loved watching these videos! Lilla is such an inspiration I love the way she sees things and is positive about everything!!
Huge congratulations to the top 50 – you should be very proud and I can’t wait to see next assignment! I feel like I was holding my breath this whole last week, haha, now at least I can get back to work, thanks for the video tips Lilla.
Thank you for 3 brilliant pep talks Lilla!!
Congratulations to all!!! I loved seeing them all and the many ways that each artist presented their interpretation. Thanks for the wonderful videos Lilla. GOOD LUCK TO ALL.
Thank you for taking the time and energy to be so encouraging, Lilla. It’s a big part of what I love about you and how you approach this ‘art life’. And I needed to hear everything you said! Such an incredible pool of art in this group – big congratulatory hugs to all of the semi-finalists, and best of luck! Can’t wait to see what you create next!
Heartwarming! I adore the many designs you and your team DID choose Lilla and I look forward in continuing my passion for creating surface pattern designs. To keep trying.
Yes a big huge congrats to all the semi-finalists! So looking forward to seeing the results of your next assignment.
And Lilla, thank you once again. So many here are encouraged to keep trying! For art is the soul within being expressed on the surface for all to see.
Lilla + Team: What a terrific experience that left me salivating for more! The little chats are priceless tidbits of encouragement and tips for art practice skills. I know I have a way to go to be polished and everything else but this competition and Bootcamp 2015 really helped me take the next steps and instead of thinking about my dream I’m moving towards it.
Thank you for such helpful and encouraging feedback, and and for all the heartfelt teaching moments throughout the videos. Looking forward to next year! :)
Congratulations to all the semifinalists! Very inspiring work!
Dear All, I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to hopefully help so many creative folks. Thank you for your kind words. This is all very exciting to us as well. Stay tuned!
Thanks for the confidence booster and for giving support to both those picked and those not picked. I am so looking forward to October MATS B and my second time in the Home Decor course in 2016. Because of the MATS courses I have also met some FAB women around the world and working on a little collaborative that will be amazing as well, Lilla and company, you’ve enhanced my art career in a big way. <3
Thank you, Lilla, for addressing all of the scenarios. I am just so thrilled with the first project and I had so much fun making. Will try to hold on to that feeling for the next round and really appreciate your tips and words of wisdom. You are such an inspiration for all of us to do our best. You have literally changed the way I work and the way I think about my art. xo<3
Thanks for such a great year!!! I have learned so much about myself & my art and what makes me feel good. I have grown as an artist tremendously. I loved every second of mats a & b & bootcamp & gts. I’ll be back for more. Thank you Lilla & co. xo