Just a bit of cardboard

I entered a piece of art into a local competition. This was the competition brief :

My piece of art made it through to the exhibition so popped along to see it alongside all the other pieces,

Here is the scene you are greeted with as you enter the exhibition room.

I spot my piece straight away. It is the only one painted on a bit of cardboard (obviously) and the only one not mounted. So all is well and I'm quite pleased that a: my piece is included (I did have anxiety issues about it getting lost) and b: it's in quite a visible spot.

I pose for my art work selfie and have a look at the other entries.

This is my first competition, my first real life public showing of my art and the first time I saw my slightly bendy bit of cardboard next to all the amazing paintings. My bit of cardboard. And that's all I saw - a bit of cardboard. Because now it's set in.

I'm trying to convince myself I'm good enough to enter the art world. But it is just a bit of cardboard with paint on and I wondered at that moment with all the beautiful canvases and boards and bees and flowers if I'd made the right choice in making cardboard my 'thing'. I'm hoping one day I will not feel like this because frankly I've tried going back to painting on 'normal' substrate and I really didn't enjoy it. And I need to enjoy my art!

I'll leave this post here... But here's the selfie and photo of my bit of cardboard with paint on for you all to enjoy. (More details about my actual artwork can be found on my facebook and instagram)