Sunrise by John Wathne

In both this work, SUNRISE, as well as my second choice for Best of Show, it was the element of light that impacted me most. The painting contained the nearly palpable feeling of being bathed in that evening glow.

Beyond the dramatic value contrast of its subject, the sky and land, the formal applications of the paint handling created a wonderful tension within the work. The movement and ethereal softness of the sky against the static complexity of the landscape is terrific, right? That amazing glow of light (color) is subtly perceived within the landscape.

The suggestion of wildlife, of creatures that occupy both land & sky is a very nice conceptual touch. Subtle yet effective.

Breath -
fall walk in the woods Accokeek, MD.

by Russell Findley

Much like SUNRISE, it’s the element of light that caught my attention in BREATH. The painting freezes a specific moment in the day while presenting a particular mood in its beautiful execution. Above the dense vegetation below, the illumination from a low-lying sun upon the tree trunks above, is spectacular. Once the mood is established with light and color, the artist holds the viewer’s attention within the work with a spidery matrix of wonderfully inventive lines, marks and cryptic scribbles. Mysterious and haunting!

Sunflowers by David La Chapelle

I love the sheer, raw exuberance of this artwork! Very uplifting.

The color & austerity of the distressed found frame complimented the work beautifully. The frame & the painting were not only complimentary to one another but became an integral component in the life of both.