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CONGRATULATIONS, SECOND QUARTER 2022 WINNERS!

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ENTERED.

Judging Statement and Award Comments
Otto Sturcke IAPS/MC, PSA-MP, PSWC-DP

I sincerely appreciate the invitation to judge the second quarter winners.

Entering your work into a juried show is always a gamble: you're never quite sure what the juror or judge of awards is distinctly looking for in a painting. Typically, I evaluate each work by its technical proficiency, compositional design, display in value structure, confidence in color choices, and ultimately assess the artist's personal use of the pastel medium. But without a doubt, it is often the pieces that have a unique voice and speak to me on a personal level that rise above the rest.

Sister Wendy Becket, the late renowned art historian and critic, stated that, "All great art deals with human emotions and takes us deep into somebody else's world so we can learn more about ourselves". I certainly had my work cut out considering the excellent display of styles and genres by many artists, all of which should be commended for their talent, hard work, and courage to enter their pieces.

Congratulations to all the winners and to everyone who entered their work!

Otto Sturcke IAPS/MC, PSA-MP, PSWC-DP
Dakota 2nd Quarter 2022 Competition Judge

 

ESTABLISHED ARTIST WINNERS

 
FIRST PLACE
Vianna Szabo
Remembrance
SECOND PLACE
Daniel Keys
Ruby Glow
THIRD PLACE
Fabio Cuffari
Da Altri Mondi
FOURTH PLACE
Marcia Ballowe
Athabasca Falls
Honorable Mention
Diane Breuer
Casanova
Honorable Mention
Robin Frisella
Bountiful Blooms
           
Honorable Mention
Sarah Blumenschein
Sunshine and Ranunculus #3
Honorable Mention
Marcia Blakeman
Cloud 9 Farm
Honorable Mention
Christine Obers
Hope, A Rescue Horse
Honorable Mention
Jeri Salter
Red Cliffs on a Clear Day
Honorable Mention
Glen Maxion
Stardust
Honorable Mention
Yael Maimon
Party of Five Cats
           
 

Established 1st Place:
"Remembrance"
An exquisite display of the pastel medium, this seemingly limited palette is rich with life and color. Whereas the woman is engrossed by the content of the letter, I am captivated by the artist's distinct use of lost and found edges. This painting engages me as if I'm the messenger, almost beckoning an inquiry of the contents of the message. It invokes me to care, to know, to reach her on a personal level. The soft diffused light adds a nice touch of tenderness to the piece overall. Well done!

Established 2nd Place:
"Ruby Glow"
Ruby glow indeed, this painting lives up to its title! To juxtapose these complimentary colors so tactfully is nothing short of masterful. The confident mark-making emboldens the piece and manages to create such delicate subjects in a enrapturing pale warm light. Absolutely stunning!

Established 3rd Place:
"Da Altri Mondi"
This artist's display of chiaroscuro in fine detail demands attention! It is an intriguing work of art and I absolutely love being drawn into the drama and detail of the piece. I am enthralled by the skill, the colors, the light, the gesture in the hands, and the narrative of the piece.

Established 4th Place:
"Athabasca Falls"
This gorgeous waterfall has such a great sense of light and movement. I can almost hear the water flowing downward onto the rocks below. The depiction of the water in both light and shadow is truly stunning and when I squint my eyes down, I can really appreciate the value structure this artist was so keen to demonstrate. 

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EMERGING ARTIST WINNERS

 

           
FIRST PLACE
Judith Booth
Bad Hair Day
SECOND PLACE
Sandra O'Brien
Gazelle's Tribute: Phillis Wheatley
THIRD PLACE
Kimberly Wurster
Varied Thrush, Moss and Maple
FOURTH PLACE
Susan Appleby
Rolling Thunder
Honorable Mention
Carol Hall
Red Attraction
Honorable Mention
David Hoque
Bird of Paradise
           
Honorable Mention
Molly Ann Cooley
Empty Nest
Honorable Mention
Rosie Coleman
Bouquet
Honorable Mention
Carina Imbrogno
Fiore di Primavera
Honorable Mention
Megan Veldee
Sweet and Hot
Honorable Mention
John Nicholas
Rainy Night Ramblas
Honorable Mention
Sarah Rose
Opia

 

 

Emerging 1st Place:
"Bad Hair Day"
To gaze on this painting, is to relish in a moment of joy! I can't help but snicker at the model's attitude surrounded by colorful strokes of whimsy. The use of grays and neutrals helps give the warmer more saturated colors a nice punch. It's very appealing how the warm and cool colors play nicely together and note how the grays surrounding her face give her features more form and attention to her facial expression. I wish my bad hair days can be as colorful as hers.

Emerging 2nd Place:
"Gazelle's Tribut: Phillis Wheatley"
Such rhythmic excellence in this piece. The expression on this young woman's face coupled with the expressive color notes makes this work of art jump right off the page. This is a display of confidence, an understanding of simultaneous contrast, and I can't help but think that this artist truly enjoyed creating this work: It seems effortless.

Emerging 3rd Place:
"Varied Thrush, Moss and Maple"
I love the atmospheric effect in this piece. Without a doubt this beautiful bird is the main actor on nature's stage. Overall, the painting has a dreamy quality that pulls the bird forward helped along by the gorgeous rusty reds on its throat and belly. It is wonderful tribute to this enchanting bird.

Emerging 4th Place:
"Rolling Thunder"
I love this guy: The gray background really makes the longhorn stand out! The use of large, flat, neutral colored shapes give this royal beauty more form and pronounce those red browns along its body. I like how both the eye and muzzle are seemingly floating in the dark mass, but I am thoroughly convinced it is part of a whole massive head that I dare not get too close to. The title works great with this piece considering the gray overtone.

 

WINNER
Janeen Bramwell
Argentine Girl

DAKOTA STAFF PICK

Dakota has the unique privilege of supporting artists in their artistic journey every day. The Staff Pick is an Emerging artist who has made strong choices in design, color, and composition, and is taking great strides in their use of the pastel material. This quarter we congratulate Janeen Bramwell - keep painting!

 

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