It's a Winner!

I received a letter a few days ago telling me that my "Nauvoo Temple" painting has been given a Purchase Award from the Museum of Church History and Art.  This means that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has bought my painting.  Out of the 1,200 entries for the show, approximately 160 are accepted for the exhibition.  Out of that 160, the Museum only purchases a few pieces for their permanent collection.  They give out 20 merit awards and 3 people's choice awards as well.  I am honored and thrilled to be the recipient of such an award.

I have already been asked a lot of the same questions about this award.  I will try to answer the most common ones.

• What do you get for this award?
  The Museum bought my painting, so that is a major honor in itself.  I obviously get paid for the painting, and the knowledge that something I created is now circulating the LDS Church's permanent art collection.  
• Do you receive royalties from prints that the Church makes?
  While it is a nice idea, the likelihood of the Church making prints of my painting is not very high.  The Church makes prints of very few paintings.  The prints that you see in Deseret Bookstore or Beehive Bookstore are all licensed through private companies that are completely separate from the Church itself.  However, I can still make prints and reproductions of the painting and sell them.
• Will your painting be in the Ensign?
  With 160 accepted entries for the show, it is unlikely that my painting will be put in the two page spread in the Ensign that covers the show.  It is possible, though.  The fact that it received an award makes the chances a little better.  So keep your eyes pealed in the May issue of the Ensign.  It might make an appearance.
• Do you know where your painting will be?
  From March 16, 2012 until October 14, 2012, my painting will be hanging in the exhibit at the Church History Museum.  After that, I have no idea.
• Are you going to the show?
  Yes.  My family and I are going to attend the awards ceremony and opening exhibit on March 16th.  The awards ceremony starts at 6:00pm and the exhibit opens at 7:00pm if any of you want to come.
• What's next?
  I have a LOT of new paintings planned.  I have more temple paintings in the works, as well as a painting of the Sacred Grove.  I am working on getting a strong group of images together to license out. 

I have had a few people ask me how much my painting sold for.  I am a little hesitant to tell people.  I feel like it is a private transaction between myself and the buyer and I want to respect their privacy.  If my buyer(s) wish to reveal how much they paid for the painting, that is their decision to make.