BoldBrush Painting Competition Winners (February 2011)

		Best of Show Award Sponsor: FASO Judge: Marc Hanson "Transition in Rose" by A Westerberg 34 x 22 Oil Note: Aaron has touched all the bases and the grand slam is complete with this special piece of art! It has a luscious color scheme, inviting and rich. All of the elements of design and pictorial construction are in place and done with a masters' hand. Beyond all of those artistic elements, what so captivates me about this painting is that I feel as if I've just walked into the space that the model occupies, surprised her and she's just turned away. There is a sensuality to the staging of the painting that is magnificently attractive.
		2nd Place Award Sponsor: FASO Judge: Marc Hanson Maycie by Dennis Dame 5 x 7 Oil Note: Dennis has captured the innocence and sweet disposition of Maycie in a beautifully direct and clean manner. His drawing is superb, the paint application is without fuss and he's presented us with just enough to let her wonderful little face shine through. I'm amazed that it's only a 5"x7" painting! Just beautiful.
		3rd Place Award Sponsor: FASO Judge: Marc Hanson summer afternoon by Demetrios Vlachos 45cm x 80cm Oil Note: Demetrios caught my attention in this painting with his use of good, strong value structure, and a color scheme that is rich and welcoming. His draftsmanship is extraordinary, and he's achieved the mood of a heavy oppressive sky balanced by the end of the day sunlight bathing the landscape with it's warmth. The painting has it all going for it, including the appropriate use of thin and thick paint through out.
		Finalist - Outstanding Watercolor Award Sponsor: InformedCollector Judge: FAV Jury Simple Man by Stephanie C. Hoffman 20 x 16 Watercolor
		Finalist - Outstanding Watercolor Award Sponsor: InformedCollector Judge: FAV Jury Passage Through Age Twelve by Coco Dega 14" x 10" Watercolor
		Finalist - Outstanding Acrylic Award Sponsor: InformedCollector Judge: FAV Jury Peak Colors by Jim Camann 30 x 30 Acrylic
		Finalist - Outstanding Acrylic Award Sponsor: InformedCollector Judge: FAV Jury Fearless by John Wyckoff 24 x 30 Acrylic
		Finalist - Outstanding Pastel Award Sponsor: InformedCollector Judge: FAV Jury Broken Promises by Daggi Wallace 12 x 22 Pastel
		Finalist - Outstanding Pastel Award Sponsor: InformedCollector Judge: FAV Jury Tesuque Arroyo by Janis Krendick 11 x 14 Pastel
		Finalist - Outstanding Abstract Award Sponsor: InformedCollector Judge: FAV Jury Tapestry 3 by David Kessler 30 x 24 Acrylic
		Finalist Award Sponsor: InformedCollector Judge: Marc Hanson Ivan by Suellen McCrary 18 x 14 Oil Note: uellen's painting is noble and sensitive. When I look at this painting, I see the proud look of a man who knows that his life has been rich and fulfilling, if not harsh at times. She's done a good enough job to allow me that kind of an interpretive response. I am a fan of that ability. She's accomplished that with an unlabored, direct and well drawn painting approach that has resulted in a wonderful portrait of Ivan
		Finalist Award Sponsor: InformedCollector Judge: Marc Hanson Wet Day Chisinau by Eugen Chisnicean 45cm x 60cm Watercolor Note: Eugen has done a near flawless job of orchestrating a wet, busy metro traffic scene, with all of the complexity that entails, by employing an economical use of marks made under the umbrella of 'less is more'. His drawing and control of the medium in this painting are to be admired and studied. Particularly captivating is how he has played a minimum use of intense color against a variety of very subtle gray masses. Those spots bring the entire composition to life.
		Finalist Award Sponsor: InformedCollector Judge: Marc Hanson Patzcauro Morning by Ned Mueller 18 x 24 Oil Note: Ned's depiction of this little slice of life feels so natural and life like, as if the viewer has just stepped out of a shop and onto the street with the towns people. Everything is here, the attention to detail is amazing and masterfully handled. His drawing and composition of this complex design is something to be studied by all of us. As is his orchestration of the color palette used, just s
		Finalist Award Sponsor: InformedCollecotr Judge: Marc Hanson Potted Rose by Lisa Kovvuri 18 x 16 Oil Note: What strikes me about Lisa's painting is the way that she's tied in all of the elements in a very warm and comfortable color palette. I feel a sense of peace when I look at this painting. This is a painting that if it were on my wall, would be in an area where I go to sit quietly to read or just meditate. The rendering of the various elements of the composition are done with consistent and equal importance, creating a unity of the whole that reinforces the overall sense of calm and pulls me in
		Finalist Award Sponsor: InformedCollector Judge: Marc Hanson Peonies From Mary's Garden by Kami Mendlik 20 x 16 Oil Note: Kami's painting has a wonderful range of texture, from the quiet background and table top, to the weight of the ceramic vase and the sensitively rendered peonies, that is delicious to look at. She painted the character of the glaze on the blue vase with as much care and respect for it's individual nature as she painted the soft light that travels across the reflective table top and onto the background wall. Her sensitive touch and use of color is inspiring.
		Finalist Award Sponsor: InformedCollector Judge: Marc Hanson Different view by Gary Kim 24" x 30" Oil Note: I wander around Gary's magnificent painting and am fascinated by how he's managed to repeat every color somewhere in the painting. From the figure's clothing to the paint colors of the museum's walls, he's integrated a palette of color so that it's harmony is floating throughout the painting's surface. The weight and stance of the two lady's caught in mid discussion are expertly drawn, rendered and alive because of the fresh quality of his paint application. I can hear the quiet in that room, only broken by the whispering of their voices in discussion.
		Finalist Award Sponsor: InformedCollector Judge: Marc Hanson Remembrances Of South Texas by Jeannette Cuevas 27" x 48" Pastel Note: Jeannette's large pastel immediately caught my attention for a couple of reasons, the least of which is the skill with which she has beautifully rendered this very complex composition. Her drawing and compositional skills are to be admired. But her use of color to depict the various ways that the light moves through and reflects off of the translucent cactus leaves is beautiful. She's portrayed the beauty of this thorny plant in all of it's glory
		Finalist Award Sponsor: Art Ready Frames Judge: Marc Hanson Moving On by Lisa Mitchell 18 x 24 Pastel Note: Lisa has put me in a place where I can smell the cooling of the earth in the shadows amidst the weeds, corn and dirt road with her wonderfully painted pastel. Her use of textural elements, color and good drawing to back up the concept only comes from years of experience. The painting has an almost animated quality to it that feels like the country that we've all experienced. The details and textural elements are well done, not overly drawn out or detailed and all unique to their place in the landscape she's painting.

To view more of our Favorites from this contest, visit the FAV 15% below: