Juror: Craig Anderson
Honorable Mentions
“Mid-Mod Caftanista” by Stephanie Van de Wetering
This is a wonderful painting that conveys a nice feeling and atmosphere. It is a vivid and fresh painting highlighting the sun’s rays as the figure squints from the broadcast of light. The color transitions in the background are soft and juicy pushing the figure forward in the painting. The colors of the fabric and hair dress repeat to create the color harmony in the piece. The soft shadows and texture in the hair along with the accessories provide a glowing and very enjoyable painting.
“Morning Routine” by Hyun Kim
This is a very powerful painting and commands you to find out what is going on. The negative space is the power of the painting and is divided up really well. The limited palette provides the unity and harmony that grounds the figure. As the viewer I feel like I was sitting next to her as she read something that struck her and looked up to tell others about it. Even the drips and splatters make this painting sing and this painting sings, great job.
“It’s All About the Bees” by Helen Hayes
I love the story/idea behind this painting, and the continued use of the repeating checkerboard pattern provides the needed unity. Having the figures in the back provides the depth needed in the painting. There is a certain tension created between the figures in the foreground, wondering if they are trying to convince how important the bees are. The bees are strategically utilized to keep the viewer from going out of the painting. A really smart painting and the artist brought home a powerful and amazing idea.
Third Place
“A Story Within A Story” by Susanne Slater
The more I look at this painting, the more I discover. It is subtle, but the artist uses the complement of orange to move the viewer’s eye through the painting. The push/pull of warm and cool along with the use of saturated and desaturated color was used masterfully. It brings a smile to my face as I look at the painting. Great job.
Second Place
“Sunkissed Eucalyptus” by Robin Erickson
This painting amplifies and pushes the local color of the tree and demands you look from corner to corner. The colorful bark hints at the texture of the tree, while the dark leaves frame the center of interest. The oblique center of interest of the tree trunk provides the interest and movement needed to access up and down the tree. It is a texture/color bomb and provides the value needed to stop you in your tracks. What a wonderful painting.
First Place
“A Little Ray of Sunshine” by Lisa Wang
I awarded this painting as the best of show for many reasons. This artist is at the top of their craft, and they make it look effortless. The suggestion of texture in the hair, coat and the wrinkles in the skin are handled beautifully. The lost and found edges in the hair and back of the coat are incredible. The push and pull of color saturation handled around the painting really works. The gesture in the face makes you feel part of the conversation and provides an intimate connection. Great job all the way around, congratulations!
