1st Place - Vinita Sadarangnani, "Their Walk"

Rick says,

"When I first laid eyes on this image, I was immediately attracted to the color, composition, and rhythm integrated into this everyday scene that is given significance beyond itself, through the eyes and perceptual abilities of the artist. Positioning of the trees, mass of fallen leaves, houses on the left and cars on the right, as well as effective use of one-point perspective, draws the eye directly to the figures, where it can linger on the elements that suggest the unity of their relationship. Light and color permeate the scene—harmony reigns. An excellent image: I would like to see this in person, to see its scale, texture, and detail."

2nd Place - Isobel Hamilton, "Betsy"

Rick says,

“One of the advantages of acrylic paint (and what may be a disadvantage to some) is the ease of attaining a hard edge. This painting takes that advantage to almost modernist extremes in defining form and light planes with a high percentage of hard edges, with some technically-executed gradations (which are so difficult with acrylics). How pure is the saturated color, how precise the contrasts, and how finely tuned are the different parts of this painting as the artist achieves overall unity, and the description of mold-made metal. Well-planned, well-drawn, and well-painted.”

3rd Place - Trish Jodoin, "Game Night"

Rick says,

“This image is so different in its subject, which in the hands of the artist, is really not the Game but the Light that oversees this nocturnal activity. I am struck by the pattern of the shadows, and how the artist intentionally guides the eye circularly around the canvas, beginning at the light and leading down the pole, through the bike and figures, up the larger window, across the shadow under the roof, down the smaller window and back to the light. I wondered what the composition would look like without the center pole on the building: there would be a “hole” in the painting through which the eye could pass, as opposed to taking the eye from element to element around the painting.  I am not able to view the painting so as to better determine paint application, consistency, or detail, but I will say the composition, pattern, and color of this piece is well-planned. Outstanding work!”

Honorable Mention - Evin Foss, "Joshua Tree After the Storm"

Rick says,

“I enjoy looking at this painting! The way it is constructed, edges and portrayal of the figural elements remind me of Phil Dike, Rex Brandt and the California and American Scene Painters of the 30’s and 40’s. The painter knows light and how it behaves, and uses acrylic paint purely and effectively to describe the quality of that light. Selection of the color palette, layout of the composition, and drawing skills have combined to create an atmosphere and a “world” that the viewer may step into. I say “world” because the artist has created a consistent order, a mood, and a point-of-view that is both creative and fun.”

malesuada wisi nec, nullam mus. Mauris vel mauris. Orci fusce ipsum faucibus scelerisque.

Honorable Mention - Raquel Roth, "In Twilight"

Rick says,

“Oil painters describe the experience of using oils as “buttery,” “easily-mixed,” “forgiving,” and “blend-able.” Dyed-in-the-wool oil devotees turn away from acrylic’s fast-drying properties, too-easy-to-achieve hard edges, “flat” surface. They could consider how these same “disadvantages” can be turned to good, and even emulate oils when gradations, blends, layering, glazing, and texturing are desired. Acrylics can do these jobs, as seen in this excellent example of the variety of ways they are used in Roth’s painting. We can see the diffusion in the background, seamless integration of different colors, and gradations of all kinds. Excellent work and use of the acrylic medium!"

Honorable Mention - Joan Hitchcock, "Queen Leslie"

Rick says,

“The graphic quality of this image cannot be denied, featuring a strong silhouette, strong horizontal and vertical lines, nearly-black darks, and severe cropping, all lending a poster-like appearance to the painting. I am attracted by the color scheme and precision of the image. Centering a moving image in a rectangle freezes movement, and reminds me of the stop-action work of Eadweard Muybridge, the innovative photographer. Precisely-painted!”

Honorable Mention - Dawn Hendrix, "Azaleas"

Rick says,

“Beauty is described in this painting by the artist through effective use of drawing skills, rhythm, pattern, color, and composition. Warm and cool color selections encourage the viewer to focus on the purity of the center of the flower, in addition to the placement of the darkest dark next to the lightest light. Florals can be difficult to paint, unless the artist has an innate sensitivity to their structure and the behavior of light across delicate surfaces. A tip of the hat here, in my mind, to Georgia O’Keeffe—beautifully done.”

Honorable Mention - Alena Wilson, "Geraniums Sing"

Rick says,

“Still life is an interesting genre to me, as there are as many ways to paint them as there are artists. The great still life painters have a knowledge of light, form, color and drawing, as well as a heightened sense of relationships between things. This painting reminds me of the still lifes of Matisse, Picasso, when considering interesting color and use of perspective. Nice work!”

Honorable Mention - Louise Powers, "Solitude"

Rick says,

“This isn’t quite an “equalization” painting, or an overall pattern, but the breaks in the surface in the form of sky holes and visible trunks/branches create a variety that is interesting, like painting music. Greens are varied, as well as the actual trees themselves, so that each has its own personality. Color is kept pure and bright, and negative spaces relieve the visual activity. The artist has created a positive, vital image.”

People's Choice Award - Jaime Rinehart Smith, "The Sky's Proclamation"

Jed says,

“Congratulations on winning the People’s Choice Award!

This painting stood out to me when I first saw it, so I’m not surprised that it won. I really love the vibrant sky set against the muted gray rocks and foreground. I think you captured a glow and ambience, and I feel like I am coming back from a mountain hike.

Good job, Jaime!”