ESTABLISHED WINNERS

1st PLACE
'Through Strands of Silk'
This is one of those rare pieces that transcends its subject. The painter tells us it is “glowing light seen through silk strands of milkweed.” While this is accurate, it’s not what captures our attention first. Instead, we are drawn into an abstract tapestry of texture, color temperature, and luminous light. To my eye, this is what the painting is really about. I only wish I had painted it myself! Bravo.

2nd PLACE
'Strut'
The title of this painting, Strut, suggests that the subject is roosters. While this is true, the roosters are the “surface story.” On a deeper, aesthetic level, however, painting’s real subject is LIGHT. I was struck by the artist’s control of value and temperature to depict light and shadow so convincingly. In a color painting, is no small feat to to make nearly pure light feel like a color, rather than just a light value. The painting also boasts an impressive underlying notan design.

3rd PLACE
'Selinunte X'
Painters often create fresh interpretations of the world by presenting their subject in a new way. While the rendering here is beautifully executed, what sets the painting apart is the way the subject is presented. I am intrigued by the partially incomplete rendering on the right. The purpose of this isn’t entirely clear, but its intentionality is unmistakeable. It adds a note of mystery, inviting viewers to reflect and interpret.

4th PLACE
'Sentinel'
I appreciate this painting on many levels. The charm of this subject—the sweetness of the birds at play, going about their bird business—is undeniable. As a visual composer, however, I am particularly impressed by the composition: the distribution and placement of the elements (the birds) across a wide frieze-like format. While the bird’s movements may seem random, their arrangement by the artist is anything but.

EMERGING WINNERS

1st PLACE
'Luna'
How refreshing! I was delighted to see this Emerging artist work so outside the stylistic box. The image, with it’s dominant red color family and dynamic fracture patterns, is fresh and stylistically arresting. I couldn’t help but wonder… by what means did the artist arrive at such an unconventional rendering style? What methods of interpretation and translation brought this unique vision to life?

2nd PLACE
'The Lightning Tree'
This painting radiates energy and vitality. A dynamic and sassy pastel technique, paired with the naturally twisting and turning form of its subject, brings the painting to life. More than just a depiction of a gnarled tree, it transcend its subject, serving primarily as a vehicle for expressive color, movement, and life.

3rd PLACE
'Birchfield'
Working with chromatic color is one of the most difficult challenges for the colorist. Pure color throughout can overwhelm, but here, the painter exercises restraint by grouping a wide variety of colors into families (color grouping) that have decisive temperature differentials. And the use of neutral colors serve as a counterpoint to the more saturated colors. The ostensible subject - birch trees and leaves—yields to the rhythmic interplay of color and pattern.

4th PLACE
'Brunch'
What draws me to this painting is its ability to convey so much with so little. The mood, the light, the silhouetted diners—it all feels vivid yet understated. I suspect the painter worked from a photo reference to some degree, but it’s remarkable how much they chose to omit, allowing suggestion to take the lead. Imagine how different the mood would have been if this piece had been painted in a “tight” realistic style. Less is more: patterns of light and dark, bold colors - these are what we are given, and that’s all we need.

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 Melinda Cheval - keep painting!
WINNER Melinda Cheval 'Amazon Sunset'

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