Keith Demanche | Morning Shadows

Judge Comments:  Succinctly cropped, this stunning landscape is not about a scene as much as it’s about what is seen — the elevation of things somewhat mundane to veritable fascination and wonder. It enlivens our senses. The artist so deftly creates a palpable sense of warming light pervading cold atmosphere. A limited palette and exquisite color contrasts contribute enormously to this painting’s evocative nature. The movement of sloping planes and shadows form marvelous diagonals which are anchored by the counterbalance of the stable, dark trees at left. In my book, this painting has it all.

Mary Ann Eldred | Golden Marsh

Judge Comments:  Underlying warmth of sky color contrasts with greens and blues of field and foliage and sets a tonal mood in this painting. Great composition allows the eye to explore every inch yet pulls the eye back in space to its judiciously placed center of interest. The concentration of darkened blue green pines lies on a golden intersection.

Elizabeth Craumer | Lengthening Shadows

Judge Comments: Rough, textural qualities of surface and pastel application are complemented by a strong sense of light and rich color in this well-composed and executed scene. The omission of details such as windows, doors, trunks of trees etc. creates a sculpture-like solidity to the forms, and renders this image less specific and powerfully compelling. Great contrasts of color saturation and temperature!

Maryann Mullett | Froggie Yoga

Judge Comments: An exceptional work of art, this intriguing close-up bears witness that intimate views of nature can be as engaging as any panoramic scene. An acute sensitivity to color value and temperature differentiates wet and dry areas on the pads and spectacularly renders parts of the frog both under and above water.  The sensation of wetness of its skin and the viscosity of the water’s surface is remarkable. 

PSNH Awards are given by the judge, using his discretion for pieces that distinctly catch his eye.

Terri Brooks | Winslow

Judge Comments: The mottled, warm/cool colors of the background are value similar, creating an admirable foil for the more differentiated temperatures, values and saturated colors on the model. Fabulous expression!  The artist skillfully captures mood and temperament in this tonal, animal portrait. There’s just enough mark-making to express the fur without it appearing unnecessarily detailed.

PSNH Awards are given by the judge, using his discretion for pieces that distinctly catch his eye.

Karen Audouin | Joyful Spring

Judge Comments: In color and placement of shapes, the compositional idea of this painting is quite becoming. Pronounced mark-making, contours and value contrasts of the foreground bushes are nicely juxtaposed against softer contrasts of lines in the fence, background foliage and immediate foreground. The center of interest is clear and uncontested.

The Hole-in-One Award is given to an early artist who hasn’t had the thrill of being chosen for an award yet. It is given by Sally Shea in honor of her husband Tim. Tim was a avid golfer who was able to get 2 holes-in-one during his lifetime. Luck, Skill, Fluke-who knows?!–but the thrill of the accomplishment is and will always be HUGE.