New Directions

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

All images are the property of the artists and protected by copyright. No image can be used without the written permission of the artist

Juror's comments by Matt Zoll

First - Bruce Woodward, Territory

This piece is executed very well. The layering of the hills and the design of the darker earth colors lead you into this beautiful space. The sparse abstract sprinkling shapes of the melted white snow bring a cold feeling in this landscape as you might find in an Andrew Wyeth scene.

The tall dark rugged pines make perfect backdrops to the delicate limbs of the white trees. The mixing of the colors and brush work is done exceptionally well to achieve the texture for the hills and the post’s help lead the viewer deeper into this wonderful painting.

Second - Michael Bignell , Elite Coach in Odessa 

The amount of work and detail drew me to this piece.  I found the juxtaposition of the mirrored reflections of the historic buildings lining the street very interesting. One can also compare the reflection to a window looking back in time to what once was.  The colors are very vivid and striking.  Sometimes there is little emotion in photorealism, but this painting for me is about the reflection and the statement of the past and modern civilization.

Third - Janet Arsenault, Catoctin Creek 

The fall colors and the movement of the water drew me into this painting.  There is a nice sensibility of lost and found edges.  A good example of this is the soft banks of the stream being broken up by the hard lines of the rocks. The water is handled very well and I feel you get a good sense of the motion of the stream.

Honorable Mention - Deb Cohan, Beautification 

I really liked this piece because of the simplicity of what is depicted.  It shows me that to tell a story, no matter how simple, you don’t have to have extreme accuracy in your drawing.  It reminds me of a scene Norman Rockwell may have done.  The blue chair really gives a nice punch of color to the painting.

Honorable Mention - Angela Lacy, Unexpected Pleasure 

To me this piece was all about the sepia colors and the design.  The brushwork, drawing and composition of the bikes is wonderfully executed.  The tone on tone colors on the building provide a nice canvas for the graphic patterns of the graffiti.

Honorable Mention - Harold Walpert, View from above 

I really respect the artist for going for this foreshortened view.  The looseness of the strokes is very refreshing and a little out of control but maintains the emotion of the artist.  I also found the title of this painting to be very inspiring.  It could have just as well have been called, “View looking down ."