ESTABLISHED 1st $2000
Bennybeg Farm : Tony Allain
This piece is dramatic and captivating! The quality of light carries and strong composition marries with purposeful and economic mark making. Every mark belongs and serves the whole. I kept coming back to this piece over and over again. It literally haunted me!

ESTABLISHED 2nd $1200
An Introduction: Corey Pitkin
A triumph of classical realism. From the masterful use of edges, to the exquisite use of color and tonality, this artist has complete control. The design is a tour de force. Everything is there, yet detail is lacking. This is the essence of human vision, the heartfelt experience, versus the encyclopedic minds eye. The photograph has robbed many of the ability to truly see; this artist sees.

ESTABLISHED 3rd $800
Friends: Anna Lapygina
This painting has been executed in a narrower range of values that that soften the image and portray a dream-like quality. I love the point of view that we are given, allowing the viewer to take in the beauty and imagination of childhood, and a most unlikely band of huggable friends. The face, hands and feet are painted with such skill and refinement, and the peripheral characters lend imaginative delight to the viewing experience. It’s a well-balanced design that uses asymmetry and patterning so effectively. Utterly enchanting. Bravo.

ESTABLISHED 4th $500
Blue Skies: Dawn Emerson
"Blue Skies" has an extraordinary blend of personal vision and skillful execution. The textural layering of elements that combines dynamic abstraction with observed realism is exciting to behold. The hawk perched atop the branch is wrapped in a foil of color and artistry not easily gained by the hands of this skillful artist, what a wonderful and visceral sight.

ESTABLISHED 5th $250
4th Light: TaiMeng Lim
"4th Light” is one of those paintings that tells a story that almost everyone can relate to. I imagine a story from the past, present, and future. Lanterns were used hundreds of years ago and are still in use today. A small bird, or spirit, returning home, visiting a loved one, bringing light into their life. What does it mean to you? You will be hard-pressed to find a better composition than we see here - the lanterns placed in the perfect angle to pull your eye up to the frame of the window surrounding the little bird who is waiting, perhaps, for the occupants of the house to notice him. The sun shines warmly on the home and window shade, the black of the interior lends eye-catching contrast and the mostly analogous color scheme is perfect for this story. Exquisite!

ESTABLISHED 5th $250
Dissipating Winter Haze: Carol Strockwasson
Some paintings defy explanation; they are meant to be experienced and felt. This is such a piece. The profound mystery and portrayal of atmospheric space elevate this pastel painting to a level often strived for, but frequently missed in traditional landscape painting. This painting should hang in a museum next to Whistler, Inness, Carlsen, and Harrison as an example of Tonalism at its best.

ESTABLISHED 5th $250
Morning on the Plashy Bank: Susan Ellis
This painting tells the story of a clam digger who is setting out to harvest clams. Like any great opening scene, it sets our character before us as the hero, with striking design and bold values. Yet the subtle beauty of the color palette leads us in with tenderness and compassion. The contour of the figure is expertly rendered with a perfect balance of positive and negative shapes. Edges are managed beautifully throughout the scene. This painting shows us how a simple subject can be portrayed with great power and empathy.