I think I should be rolling my sleeves as well. It's been 4-5 art contest that I have missed but I did them intentionally because in my artwork they were not perfect fit. Initially I also thought that judges are getting bored about the Pencil Carving type of arts and hence none of them were getting selected. But now its time to change the art category. I think I should really try my luck with other categories. Since that is going to be the new experience and also as good taste of artwork it may happen I end up creating astounding artowkr for everyone to see. The painting is monotonous for me and many peeps already do it so that's definitely going to be very congested and competitive. I think I am going to spend more time on crafted art where actual theme to be made. Let us see what happens to the new contest. Good luck to everyone who will participate in it.
However, the return if you win is way more than what it usually worths, so putting that time for either more than what it worths or nothing is a type of gambling you are doing so to speak and should be considered relevant to the business.
If I was actually an artist who truly is in love with what I do, I did be very happy doing the arts, regards of whether or not I win the contest, nothing beats love and passion for something in terms of motivation. this is to say that, for someone who is naturally talented in arts and he or she loves it with passion, for such a person, in as much as it is not wrong to aim for the prize, since that is one of the major ways to really gain the confirmation we need to know that our talent is recognized, it is also very important to pay attention to our inner self, pay attention to our talent, as I personally believe that can be our biggest motivation and director, which can direct us to coming up with an amazing idea of what to create that will lead us to winning the prize easily and almost effortlessly.
Anyways, this is just what I think by the way.