Art and Color 365 | Winter/Spring 2024 by Art and Color 365 Magazine

Celebrating Art in Every Aspect of Life

Winter/Spring 2024

EXHIBITIONS OF OUR ANIMALS AND OPEN COMPETITIONS

JILL SOUKUP

Expressive paintings that capture the beauty of horses and Western ranch life

DAVID GROENJES

Amazing Sculptures Made from Scrap Metal

JULIA BANGERT'S BOOK ILLUMINATION An Ancient Art Form Meets Contemporary Art

THE DEMANDING ART OF SCRATCHBOARD Frances McMahon and John Suh Art Competition Winners

ART AND COLOR 365

FROM THE EDITOR

his edition marks the completion of our first year of publishing. Our mission has always been to celebrate art in every aspect of life and to provide a platform for artists to reach a broader audience. We have enjoyed hosting twelve art competitions and receiving thousands of entries from artists around the globe. Their diverse styles, media, and techniques have enriched our publication, providing our readers with an impressive spectrum of artistic expression. We’ve also had the opportunity to feature dozens of artists and artisans whose unique work — from inspiring paintings, drawings, and sketchbooks

to botanical art, fiber arts, handmade jewelry, and sculpture — has added depth and dimension to our magazine. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each of the artists who have contributed to our publication. Their work has been an integral part of our magazine. As we move forward, we remain committed to celebrating art and artists and look forward to continuing to bring you interesting and insightful content. Thank you so much for your support and for making our first year such a success! Enjoy,

Virginia Bayes, Editor

Sign up for our newsletter for free content and monthly features to bring an artistic viewpoint to every aspect of your life. www.artandcolor365.com

A contemporary, painterly approach depicting Western ranch life

14 Julia Bangert Book Illumination An ancient art still thrives

60 David Groenjes Amazing sculptures made from scrap metal

90 Not So Flatware Cassandra Mae Harris's jewelry made from vintage flatware

20 Magic of the Night: Nocturnes Mark Stopforth Wilhelm Neusser Sim Sim William R. Davis Malgorzata Maj Andy Eccleshall Victor Butko Sharon Schock Stephanie Rew Tatiana Roulin Meghan Weeks Clarence A. Porter

ART COMPETITIONS

6 Jill Soukup

COLLECTIONS

44 ARTISTS & ARTISANS

CONTENTS

Vol. II. No. 1

24 Animals

Competition Exhibition

44 Frances McMahon 1st Place

48 Garry Fleming 2nd Place

52 Sarah Lake 3rd Place

66 Open Competition

Exhibition

80 John Suh 1st Place

54 Scratchboard

84 Robyn Asquini

Sonja Jones Kaetlyn Able Conor Smith Chris Ball Diana Höhlig

2nd Place

88 Hugh Greer 3rd Place

ON THE COVER: The Invitation, oil, by John Suh. See our feature story about Suh's work on page 80. 4

6 90

INSPIRING ARTIST

Jill Soukup, Dark and Light Horses (No. 5), 2019, oil on canvas, 17.5 x 17.25"

Jill Soukup Jill Soukup’s impressive paintings of horses and Western ranches are a beautiful mix of abstract textures, calming palettes, and painterly brushwork.

Jill Soukup, Butters, 2019, oil on canvas, 24 x 32"

Jill Soukup in her studio. Photography by elk & HAMMER.

All images © Jill Soukup, shared with permission

olorado artist Jill Soukup's oil paintings of horses and Western ranch life are known for their expressive brushwork, appealing palettes, rich textures, brilliant compositions, and a masterful hand at rendering the perfect proportion and movement of these animals. But a closer look at Soukup's work reveals something quite extraordinary. Instead of color, value, and line being used simply to form an image, her paintings are comprised of large areas of painterly, abstract textures — filled with contrasting hues and values and energized with movement — and somehow these swaths of abstraction unite to form beautiful, representative art. Base layers of contrasting colors enliven the hues painted over them, with brushstrokes moving in varying directions to create a powerful sense of

action and expression. Some of Soukup's pieces are large-scale to give viewers a sense of the presence of the animal represented, a feeling of "bringing a real horse into your living room," as Soukup puts it. An artistic beginning and career Growing up in Colorado, Soukup has loved and made drawings of horses since she was a child. Her career always had an artistic bent as well. From starting a pet portrait business as a teenager, to earning a bachelors of fine art from Colorado State University, to working full-time as a designer and illustrator, Soukup has a long list of artistic awards and achievements that act as a foundation to her work today. In a recent interview with Art and Color 365, Soukup provided a more in-depth view of what she is trying to achieve with her artwork. 7

Jill Soukup, Round About, 2015, oil on canvas, 25.75 x 31.5"

You've spoken of contrast as an important element of your paintings. What are you trying to convey through the use of contrast in your work? Contrast is really at the core of everything that I produce. It's my overall pursuit in all aspects of my art. For me, contrast is what creates beauty and truth and all of my paintings focus on that component. Whether my subject matter is wranglers, or Western life, or buildings, those are just vehicles for this broader exploration of contrasts.

Facing Page: Jill Soukup, Bones and Trace, 2019, oil on canvas, 40 x 30"

How did you choose Western imagery for your art? I fell into the Western genre, sort of by accident. A friend invited me to visit one of The Ranchlands' ranches in 2003 when they were hosting an artists' gathering to draw and paint the horses and other elements of the property.

(The Ranchlands is a family ranching business that owns and manages livestock operations in the American West, offering visits for wildlife viewing and to experience ranch life.) I've been going to their Zapata and Chico Basin ranches ever since to experience, observe, and photograph the people and animals and to teach annual art workshops. What about horses inspires you? I've always loved horses, what eight-yearold girl doesn't, really? That's always been an interest for me. And horses have a balance, proportion, and spirit that draws me in unlike any other species. The textures in your work are almost abstract. Is that intentional? Yes, definitely. It's very intentional and an important part of my work. I'm always pushing it and wanting it to evolve, I'm

Jill Soukup, Purple Pelage, 2017, oil on canvas, 30 x 20"

Jill Soukup, Marsh March, 2017, oil, 46 x 54"

always looking for ways to do something different with the paint. It's a very playful part of the artwork. You take art classes in mediums other than oil painting. How does that affect your work? Every time I take a class or play around with something completely different than oils, I find that the next day when I go into the studio that impression of working with another media always transfers to my painting somehow. I always find something that's deeper and more meaningful in becoming a better artist. So that's a big part of exploring new textures. From sculpting, to printmaking, to gouache —

it all influences my work. What do you consider the fundamentals needed for successful art? Drawing skills are the most important to have because they teach you how to see as an artist. The next is structure, which really comes down to value, dark and light pattern. What do you focus on most in your teaching? I focus heavily on composition and drawing — those are key to everything. In my own work, composition almost always starts with the dark and light pattern in its simplest form. If you can 11

Jill Soukup, Doubleback, 2013, oil, 24 x 30"

begin there, it's like the frame of the house, so to speak, and you can build on it as long as you don't lose the initial dark/ light balance. Understanding that balance sets the stage for a successful piece.

Facing Page: Jill Soukup, Trickling Faces, 2019, oil, 21.5 x 29.5"

Discover more about Soukup and her work on her website, www.jillsoukup.com or on Instagram, @jillsoukup.

Do you do critiques in your classes? I do one-on-one critiques in my classes because constructive criticism is the most valuable feedback an artist can receive. Pointing out strengths is important, but discovering our weaknesses is imperative because it shows where we can improve and move forward. Mistakes and weaknesses in art equal opportunity. Personally, I believe that receiving criticism is the only way to get better. For me it's not a negative thing at all, it's the only way to grow.

Jill Soukup, Shades (No. 1), 201, oil on canvas, 16 x 20"

Facing Page: Jill Soukup, Troubleshooting, 2014, oil on board, 19 x 14" Right: Jill Soukup, Purple Charge, 2013, oil, 72 x 96"

B O O K I L L U M I N AT I O N

Julia Bangert The art of book illumination, which dates back to the Roman Empire, is still alive and well today. Derived from the Latin word illuminare, to "light up," the term illumination refers to the decoration of ancient manuscripts and books with gold or silver and bold colors, intended to bring light to the pages. German artist, Julia Bangert, is a contemporary expert in the field.

ith a fine brush and steady hand, book illumination artist, Julia Bangert, patiently applies medieval techniques to create colorful and intricate designs accentuated with gold. Her art adorns reproductions of pages from historical manuscripts. She also creates original, personalized initials in the same style for her many followers worldwide. Bangert grew up in Mainz, Germany and attended Johannes Gutenberg University studying book studies, art history, and German studies. She completed her PhD in the book trade in the early modern period. She says, "I was particularly fascinated by the transitional phase between manuscripts and printed books, when new technology allowed mass production of text, but the initials and decorations on the pages were still

hand-painted." Art and Color 365 recently had the opportunity to talk to Julia about her work. Art and Color 365: What part did art play in your childhood? I loved drawing and painting from an early age, mostly portraits and animals. My Julia Bangert father is an illustrator and as a child I watched him work. Eventually, I began to imitate him and started to create my own drawings. My love of books is something I got from my mother. She had numerous books about art and medieval illuminations filled with beautiful pictures I was fascinated by. So art has always been with me.

Facing page: An illuminated page from the book of Genesis All images © Julia Bangert, shared with permission

How did book illumination become your career of choice? Actually, the way I got into it was more of a coincidence than a plan. Through my studies, I had become involved with the Gutenberg Museum and its fundraising organizations — the Gutenberg Foundation and the Gutenberg Society. In 2013, the three organizations had a shared stand at the Frankfurt Book Fair and were presenting products including reproductions of individual pages from the Gutenberg Bible which, like the original, featured hand-painted decorations and initials by freelance illumination artists. I remember thinking, "I could do that." I don't know what came over me because I usually didn't have a lot of confidence in those situations, but on the last day of the fair I plucked up my courage and told the Foundation's managing director that I felt I could do the hand-painting work. She was skeptical, but agreed to look at samples of my art, after which she gave me the opportunity to become one of their freelance artists, and I've been painting these pages ever since. This development enabled me to combine my passion for painting with

my theoretical knowledge and marked the beginning of my professional career as an illuminator and specialist in the field of book painting. What inspires your work? My work is strongly inspired by 15th century book illumination. This was the time of the invention of printing with movable type. I was greatly influenced by the Gutenberg Bible in particular, the first book in the western world printed with this process, especially the paintings in the copies in Göttingen and Berlin. My first book illumination commissions were to copy the paintings in them and I learned a great deal while doing it. I also have always liked the great Renaissance painters, in particular Leonardo da Vinci, Sandro Botticelli, Albrecht Dürer, and Hieronymus Bosch. I was drawn to their work at an early age and still enjoy looking at them today.

Examples of Bangert's hand-painted initials

The technique involved in book illumination is exacting, and obviously can't be rushed. Is it a challenge to work at that pace? Definitely! Surprisingly, my greatest weakness is impatience, so working on fine detail work shouldn't suit me at all. Somehow, though, it's the one activity I don't mind doing, no matter how controlled and slow it is. Roughly, how long does it take to finish an initial and scrollwork? This depends on how detailed the piece is. The more motifs there are and the more complicated the decoration, the longer it takes. I estimate that it averages four to five hours to work on a single initial with gold leaf. What do you enjoy the most about your work? That it never gets boring or exhausting for me. I can really sink into painting; I put on some music or an audio book and forget about time. It's a great feeling when a piece is finished and I think, "that doesn't look so bad after all." To commission one of Bangert's hand-painted initials or to see more of her work, visit www.julia-bangert.de or @bookillumination on Instagram.

Right: Detail of Bangert's book illumination

NOCTURNES

The Magic of the Night As in music, nocturnes in art evoke the mood of evening. James McNeill Whistler recognized this and was the first to apply the musical term to his paintings depicting the beauty of the night. Artists have been painting nocturnes for centuries, representing some of the art world's most famous works — Rembrandt's The Night Watch, Whistler's Nocturne in Blue and Gold, The Falling Rocket, Hopper's Nighthawks, and perhaps the most beloved nocturne of all — Van Gogh's The Starry Night. Here are examples of beautiful night scenes on Instagram.

Mark Stopforth, Persephone, mixed media, @markstopforth

Wilhelm Neusser, Marsh/Orange Sky (#2154), oil, @wilhelmneusser

Sim Sim, Untitled, charcoal, @sssimsim

William R Davis, Hudson River Fireworks, oil, @williamrdavisjr

Top left: Malgorzata Maj, Dreamscape VI, oil, @mmaj.art Top right: Andy Eccleshall, Shuksan by Moonlight, oil, @andyeccleshall

Above: Mark Stopforth, Azure, oil, @markstopforth Center right: Victor Butko, Moon Over the Montauk Harbor, oil, @viktor_butko_ Bottom right: Sharon Schock, Shoreline Drive Nocturne, oil, @sharon.schock.art

Stephanie Rew, Beacon II, oil, @stephrew

Meghan Weeks, 1812 II, oil, @meghanweeksartist

Tatiana Roulin, Harbor Moon, pastel, @tatroulin

Clarence A. Porter, Gimme the Night (Series), pastel, @porter_arts

We are very happy to announce the winners, special merit, artistic recognition, and honorable mention award recipients from our 2024 Animals Competition. We received nearly 600 entries from all over the world including Australia, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, South Korea, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, U.K., and 22 states in the U.S. Our judges were hard-pressed to choose the winners from such an outstanding field of talented artists. Our thanks to everyone who participated. Enjoy the beautiful artwork.

All images from the exhibition are under copyright and shared with permission of the artists.

2024 ANIMALS COMPETITION | WINNERS

1st Place Winning Entry Frances McMahon House Hunting, watercolor www.francesmcmahon.com | @frances.mcmahon.birdartist See our feature story about the artist on page 44 25

2024 ANIMALS COMPETITION | WINNERS

2nd Place Winning Entry Garry Fleming In Your Hands, oil www.garryfleming.com | @garryflemingofficial See our feature story about Fleming's art on page 48

2024 ANIMALS COMPETITION | WINNERS

3rd Place Winning Entry Sarah Lake Masai, paper www.sarahlakepaperart.co.uk | @sarah_lake_paperart Read our feature story about Lake on page 52 27

2024 ANIMALS COMPETITION | SPECIAL MERIT Special Merit Leah Davies

Mack Attack, colored pencil @leahdaviesart

Special Merit | Jessica King • Harry with

Special Merit | Annik Janssens

Special Merit | Suzanne Sheran

Special Merit | Rebecca Engels

Blanket, colored pencil • @jessicakingart

River, oil • @worksofarfportraits

I Am Worth It, pastel • @annikanimalart

Finch in Focus, pastel • @natureart_byrebecca

2024 ANIMALS COMPETITION | SPECIAL MERIT Special Merit | Aga Elliott One Turtle's Journey, oil @papillonfineart

Special Merit | Louise Reilly • Portrait

Special Merit | Sarah Perry

Special Merit | Tracy Warner

Special Merit | Sally Edmonds

of a Panda,mixed media • @louisereillyart

A Moment's Peace, colored pencil • @traceonpaper

Fox i n the Rain, pastel • @sarahperryfineart

Mister Chester, mixed media • @sally_edmonds_art

2024 ANIMALS COMPETITION | SPECIAL MERIT

Special Merit | Beverly McKay

Special Merit | Yelena Lamm

Special Merit | Cheryl Pruys

Special Merit | Helen Coulter

Special Merit | Louise Hancox • Infinite Shadows Singular Light II, pastel • @louise_hancox_fine_art

Special Merit | Peter Eades

Just Resting My Eyes, acrylic • paper.nautilus.illustrations

Sea Turtles, acrylic • @cherpruys

Latte and Mocha, oil • @yelena_lamm

Stretch, acrylic • @helencoulterart

Water Games, oil • @petereadesart

2024 ANIMALS COMPETITION | SPECIAL MERIT

Special Merit | Jennifer Goodhue

Special Merit | Michelle Farmer

Special Merit | Kendra Ferreira

Special Merit | Ashley Tolton

Special Merit | Kate Tooke

Special Merit | Susan Wehrman

Wolf, colored pencil • @jdgoodhue_art

A Passing Glimpse, colored pencil • @kjfdesign.artist

Good Boy Banjo, oil • @k8tooke

Budgies, mixed media • @michellefarmer_art

Dunny, oil • @ashleytoltonart

No Rhino Reason, colored pencil • www.tippany.com

2024 ANIMALS COMPETITION |SPECIAL MERIT

Special Merit | Sheryl Unwin

Focus, scratchboard • @sherylunwinartist

Special Merit | Tianyin Wang The Cat, charcoal • @tianyin_artist

Special Merit | Debra Yaun

Bunnies in Nest, scratchboard • @debrayaun_scratchboard

Special Merit | Sharon Moseley Smöske, colored pencil @tidgipud

Special Merit | Ann Ranlett • Tucson Yawn Desert Tortoise, scratchboard • @annranlett 32

2024 ANIMALS COMPETITION | SPECIAL MERIT

Special Merit | Philippa Lavers

Autumn Light, pastel • @philippalaversart

Special Merit | JR Hess

Only in Dreams, colored pencil • @jrhessart

Special Merit | Angela Parr

You're Such a Show Off, pastel • @bingaragallery

Special Merit | Rachel Harris Rainbow Lorikeets, colored pencil @rachelharris_art

Special Merit | Linda Lunnon,

Tree Creeping, scratchboard • @lindalunnonillustrations

2024 ANIMALS COMPETITION | SPECIAL MERIT

Special Merit | Alison Ehmig, Brook Shadows, acrylic www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/alison-ehmig-10345

Special Merit | Andy Eccleshall I Am Cow, oil • @andyeccleshall

Special Merit | Eileen Schulz-Tampier White Wolf, colored pencil • @eileen_artiste

Special Merit | Hailey Wellauer, Reflection, colored pencil • @hailey.wellauer.artwork

2024 ANIMALS COMPETITION | SPECIAL MERIT

Special Merit | Renso Tamse

Significance of Strength, watercolor @renso_tamse_artist

Special Merit | Susanne Fumelli Glow, Pastel @susannefumelli

Special Merit | John Hanley Double Trouble, graphite @john.hanley.art

Special Merit | Jasmine Leask After a Bath, pastel @heartworkbyjasmine

Special Merit | Monika Barbian African Princess, scratchboard @monikabarbian

Special Merit | Rebecca Findlay Forest Secret, acrylic @rebeccafindlayartwork

2024 ANIMALS COMPETITION | SPECIAL MERIT

Special Merit | Amy McKimm

Special Merit | Almaris Acin

Special Merit | Lee Gobbi

Special Merit | Linda Hansen

Special Merit | Sonja Jones

Special Merit | Kateryna Bielikova

Brave Heart, pastel @amy_mckimm_artist

Lynx Portrait, pastel @lindahansens_art

Emma, colored pencil @colorpops.art

Almost in Bloom, scratchboard @sjonesbyobartwork

Dylan, oil @gobbifineartstudio

Emphatic, acrylic @non_stop_horse_art

2024 ANIMALS COMPETITION | SPECIAL MERIT

Special Merit | McKenzie Gutshall Bruce, colored pencil @mckenziegutshallart

Special Merit | Jenna Hestekin Donkey, scratchboard @jennahestekin

Special Merit | John Suh

Special Merit | Aishwarya Bala

Special Merit | Taylor Czyscon

Special Merit | Gabrielle Dickens

Ted, oil @john_suh_1

Summer's Breath, pastel @taylor_marie_art

Mylo the Chi, pastel @pawwrt.ae

Man of the Forest, colored pencil @artbygabrielle_uk

2024 ANIMALS COMPETITION | ARTISTIC RECOGNITION

Artistic Recognition

Fearless, acrylic @odellfergusonart

Kitty, graphite @michellerapley.art

Tiger Taiga, colored pencil @lornadandyart

Christine O'Dell-Ferguson

Michelle Rapley

Lorna Dandy

Artistic Recognition

Jezebel, oil @jewelart_wowfactor

Flame Tanager, acrylic @zim13

Jewel Conway

Mark Zimmerman

Artistic Recognition

Scout, pastel @lmc_artwork

Birds of a Feather, watercolor @bronwenjoneswatercolors

Lauren Catling

Bronwen Jones

Marianne Brady

K-roline

Toby, pastel @at_the_beach_art

Sois Fort, acrylic @kroline_art

Artistic Recognition Susi Gardner • Wild and Free,

Artistic Recognition

oil • @susi_gardner_artist

Susie McColgan

Best Friend, acrylic @mccolgansusie

2024 ANIMALS COMPETITION | ARTISTIC RECOGNITION

Artistic Recognition

Bengal Tiger, gouache @jencrenshaw.art

The Underestimated, mixed media • @blbinder36

Rise and Shine, acrylic @rosiebrundrett.art

A Mother's Love, oil @isabelconradi.art

Artistic Recognition

Sleeping Beauty, oil @swapnil.nevgi.fineart

More Precious Than Gold, acrylic • @robynbromham

Jen Crenshaw

Brian Binder

Rosie Brundrett

Isabel Conradi

Robyn Bromham

Kristy Ren

Bernadette Ballantyne

Griffy, pastel @kristyren_art

Astro, pastel @bbartist_nz

Artistic Recognition

Focus, oil @artistbathmawathy

Spirit, charcoal @drawnbytracey

Tickells Blue Flycatcher, watercolor, @darkfoxcreative

The Watcher, pastel @siriol_hayler_art

Swapnil Nevgi

Bathmawathy

Tracey Prioste

Sara Mohagen

Siriol Hayler

2024 ANIMALS COMPETITION | ARTISTIC RECOGNITION

Artistic Recognition

The Morning Paper, oil @painterleee

Green Woodpecker, colored pencil • @abi_g_art

Artistic Recognition

Christopher Forrest

Seahawk Ascending, oil @chris.forrest.art

Gillian Weddle • Griffin the Caracal, colored pencil @gillianselftaughtartist

Artistic Recognition

Wilson the Zebra, colored pencil

@art_by_fjord

Vici, colored pencil @meganoconnorart

and Baby Bear, pyrography @debbiejohnsonwoodart

Artistic Recognition

Roxy at Salmon Brook, oil www.georgemattinglyart.com

Natural Beauty, pastel @artbyjo1975

Home Again, acrylic @waynechunat

Azure Kingfisher, pastel @artbydebfarrimond

Robin Caspari

Abigail Gingele

Artistic Recognition

Max, colored pencil @sheila.tysdal.art

Sheila Tysdal

George Mattingly

Louise Fjord Jensen

Jo Groves

Megan O'Connor

Wayne Chunat

Debbie Johnson • Mama

Deb Farrimond

2024 ANIMALS COMPETITION | ARTISTIC RECOGNITION

Artistic Recognition | Tasha Waller • Fae Ofa -

A Mother's Love, colored pencil, @immersedimages

Mastiffs, pastel, @ruffsketchings

Artistic Recognition | Rochelle Oberholser

Crossing the Line, colored pencil www.facebook.com/shelley.althouseoberholser

The Hereford, pastel, @mucchiodibella

Swimming with Sea Turtles, acrylic, @ken_wallin

Artistic Recognition

Artistic Recognition | Shannon Gordy

Artistic Recognition | Nanette Catigbe

Artistic Recognition | Ken Wallin

Sue Miller

Artistic Recognition | Melody DeBenedictis

Good Company, oil @sue_miller_art

Blues and Bays, oil, @melodydebenedictis

Artistic Recognition

Artistic Recognition | Poonam Kasekar

Donna Prentice

Wally, watercolor @aussie.watercolour.wildlife

Artistic Recognition | Coline Haxaire

Rainbow Dragon, pastel, @coline_drawing

Frank - The King, acrylic @headovereaselstudio_fineart

Artistic Recognition | Fiona Groom

Prep and Preen, acrylic, @fgroom_artist

2024 ANIMALS COMPETITION | ARTISTIC RECOGNITION

Artistic Recognition

colored pencil,@lisa_makin_art

Yuko, pastel, @wildlifebyhasina

Lisa Makin • Mother and Cub,

Hasina Noormohamed

Artistic Recognition

Kingpin, oil, @lmichelelutzai

Versatility, scratchboard, @lynnkibbefineart

Michele Lutzai

Lynn Kibbe

Artistic Recognition

Charm, silk painting @sonoseta

A Friend for Life, pastel @dawnreneebouchard

Graceful Wings, Blue Heron, watercolor, @tatiana_m_art

White Wolves of Yellowstone, oil, @marjoleinkruijt

Olga Belova

Dawn Bouchard

Artistic Recognition | Amy Rattner

Quail Covey, acrylic inks, @amysr

Tatiana Maliseva

Marjolein Kruijt

Artistic Recognition | Jacqui Keseluk

Great White, oil, @jacquikeselukart

2024 ANIMALS COMPETITION | HONORABLE MENTION

Honorable Mention

Lorraine Dey • Kona, acrylic, @lorraineday_art

Honorable Mention

Stefanie Radtke • Kingfisher..., colored pencil, @artbysteffi1

Honorable Mention

Cecilia Pelissier Becky Carpenter The Orangutan, watercolor, Fox, colored pencil, @ceciliartpaint @beckycarpenter___artist

Stu Rosen • Double Chin, pen and ink, @sturosenart

Honorable Mention

Kym Lee Fragility, acrylic, @kymlee_art

Honorable Mention

Lori Owen • Contemplation, pastel, @loriowenartist

Sharon Hernly Guardian of Dawn, oil, @sharonhernlyartist

Honorable Mention

Kelly Ferguson Perception, acrylic, @odellfergusonart

Honorable Mention

Michele Cauchon Charlotte, pastel, @michele.cauchon

Linda Briesacher Blessed to be the Brood Mares, oil, @lindabriesacher

Pat Shepherd Waterboy, oil, @pshepart

Amy Szwaya Don't Look, colored pencil, @amyvkszwaya

Nick Reys The Wild Hunt, graphite, @nickvreys

Fred Moss Mountain Goat, oil, @fred.moss

Liana Brennan Leave Me Alone, mixed media, @librenn_art

Stacy Fett

Always Watching,acrylic, @stacysbluekoifineart

2024 Animals Competition

Frances McMahon

1st Place Winner

ustralian artist, Frances McMahon, creates brilliant realistic paintings of Australian birds in minute detail. "I've been painting birds since I was five years old," she says, "which is when I decided that would be my life's work. Since then, capturing the beauty of our native bird species has been my passionate obsession." Her medium is watercolor, with small touches of gouache, and it suits her well. "I've always painted with watercolor," she says. "It can be a difficult medium, but it allows me to achieve the extreme level of detail I strive for. It also creates a translucency it's hard to accomplish with other media." Her elaborate paintings may take weeks to complete, and she endeavors to include all of the important elements in each piece. "My greatest challenge would have to be juggling everything all at once," she says. "Namely, good composition and tonal values, capturing the character of the subject

while maintaining scientific accuracy, and a personal goal, striving to make the next painting better than the last." "The sheer beauty and perfection of nature is what I aim to capture," she says. "I think nature is the best teacher. By careful observation you can discover the most extraordinary and beautiful patterns that you ordinarily may miss." McMahon became a professional artist in 2021 and has commissioned works in private collections in Australia, New York, Minnesota, and Ontario. She has been featured in several art publications and has won numerous awards — including from the Holmes Prize for Excellence in Realistic Australian Bird Art, a prestigious Australian art competition, where she was a Finalist in 2021, the Best in Show winner in 2022, and an Award of Excellence winner in 2023. WEBSITE: www.francesmcmahon.com INSTAGRAM: @frances.mcmahon.birdartist

All images © Frances McMahon, shared with permission.

Frances McMahon | 2024 Animals Competition, 1st Place Winner Clockwise from left:

1st Place Winning Entry

House Hunting (Eastern Rosellas), watercolor (See full-size image on page 25) A Quiet Moment (Red-Browed Finch), watercolor Pandanus Party (Mannikins), watercolor

Frances McMahon | 2024 Animals Competition, 1st Place Winner

Sunbathing (Barbary Dove) watercolor

Foraging (Pardalotes), watercolor

Frances McMahon | 2024 Animals Competition, 1st Place Winner

Tiny Gems (Double-Barred Finches), watercolor

Showing Off (Sulphur-Crested Cockatoos), watercolor

2024 Animals Competition

Garry Fleming

2nd Place Winner

arry Fleming is an Australian wildlife artist who grew up in the suburbs of Sydney, not far from the Georges River. "One of my favorite activities was fishing with my grandfather," Fleming says. "He would share stories with me, telling me about his past. That's when I first developed a real appreciation of storytelling and the natural world. "I've always had an affinity with birds and animals," he says, "and when I realized at an early age that I could draw, observing and drawing the creatures that lived along the riverbank became a prime interest in my life." For five years as a young adult, he worked as an illustrator, but at the age of 21, the self-taught artist struck out on his own and began writing and illustrating children's books. His love for art and storytelling became the impetus for his budding full-time career. As he developed his artistic style, he perfected his technique by studying the art of George McLean,

Robert Bateman, and Carl Brenders. Fleming's wildlife paintings, rendered in photorealism, evoke an emotional response. "I strive to convey a perceivable thought process in my subjects," he says. "What is the animal thinking? Look in its eyes, what do you see? What is its message?" Fleming is a signature member of the Artists for Conservation Foundation (AFC) and has garnered numerous awards, including two medal of excellence awards from AFC as well as having his work, In Your Hands, chosen for the cover of the 2023 AFC Annual Exhibit Book. Dedicated to conservation, Fleming says, "I love nature and all its wild places. I find painting to be the self-expression of the beauty that surrounds us every day. I try to capture this beauty as a reminder of moments that were very special to me." WEBSITE: www.garryfleming.com INSTAGRAM: @garryflemingofficial

All images © Garry Fleming, shared with permission.

Garry Fleming | 2024 Animals Competition, 2nd Place Winner

Left:

2nd Place Winning Entry

In Your Hands, oil (See full-size image on page 26) Below:

Bengal Repose, oil

Garry Fleming | 2024 Animals Competition, 2nd Place Winner

Lazy Leopard, oil

Me and Him, oil 50

Garry Fleming | 2024 Animals Competition, 2nd Place Winner

Mr. Gang Gang, oil 51

2024 Animals Competition

Sarah Lake

3rd Place Winner

arah Lake is deeply passionate about wildlife and conservation. Based in Kent, she creates meticulously detailed artwork of endangered animal species. Her work is extraordinary and so is her medium of choice. She is an awardwinning paper artist, and her tools consist of paper and scalpel. Lake's painstaking process can take more than 300 hours for a single artwork. "Every piece starts out with a photograph I have usually taken myself," she says. "I then separate it into the number of layers I want to work with. The more layers, the more detail there will be in the final artwork. Then I hand cut each layer using a scalpel and combine them. Every photo is used just once so each piece of art is unique." Lake's goal is that her pieces are indistinguishable at a distance from any other work using more traditional media, and only when they look at it up close the viewer will discover it is created from individual layers of paper.

Lake started experimenting with paper art as a hobby more than ten years ago, and as her work became known, she received widespread recognition. In 2023, she won the Wings Category in the prestigious David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation Wildlife Artist of the Year, in 2022 she was a finalist. She also won the Explorers Against Extinction Sketch for Survival Wildlife 100 Artist of the Year in 2021, and was a finalist in 2023. Lake supports numerous wildlife organizations, donating funds from the sale of her work. "What I love about my work," she says, "is that I'm able to help so many conservation organizations raise funds and public awareness. "I have worked with some amazing charities and look forward to being involved with others in the future." WEBSITE: www.sarahlakepaperart.co.uk INSTAGRAM: @sarah_lake_paperart

All art images © Sarah Lake, shared with permission.

Sarah Lake | 2024 Animals Competition, 3rd Place Winner

Clockwise from top left:

3rd Place Winning Entry

Masai, paper (See full-size image on page 27) Gaysha, paper Abou, paper

D R AW I N G

Karole Nicholson, Eternal Indigo, mixed media.

Sonja Jones, Spring Thaw, scratchboard.

Scratchboard A demanding and unforgiving medium, scratchboard consists of a wooden panel painted with a white layer of clay and topped with a layer of black ink. The artist uses sharp tools to scratch off the dark layer to reveal the white clay underneath, creating detailed images with bold contrasts. This talented group of featured scratchboard artists exhibit the skill, patience, and creativity needed to render these remarkable pieces in their individual styles — from meticulous realism, to the colorful and whimsical, to beautiful wildlife in natural habitats. 54

Sonja Jones Scratchboard artist, Sonja Jones, finds all the inspiration she needs for her work in the natural habitat surrounding her Arizona home. While she enjoys rendering wildlife from all over the world, most of Jones' subjects have been discovered as she hikes the nearby trails. "Nature and wildlife are my muses," she says, "and I find almost as much pleasure being outdoors searching for inspiration as I do in creating my artwork." Jones started painting with watercolors in 2015, but her focus has since shifted to scratchboard, to which she often incorporates color. "I appreciate the beauty and simplicity of black and white scratchboard art," she says, "but with my previous art background, I like to add color in some pieces using inks and/or watercolor paints." Scratchboard artists can attest to the challenging nature of the medium. "The most difficult thing for me to learn was to lighten up my strokes," Jones remembers. "It's important to preserve the white tones created from the thin layer of clay under the black ink, so you need to resist scratching too deeply. A lighter touch and simply increasing your cross hatching will achieve wonderful values and contrast." Referring to the creative process, Jones says, "Whether you think you have talent or not, everyone should try to create. When you start to think as an artist thinks, you begin to view the whole world differently. You open yourself up to beauty in even the most common and mundane things. "I find forming connections with animals and nature is restorative," she adds, "and bringing a little of this comfort into people's lives with my art makes me happy." See more of Jones' award-winning art at www.sjonesbyobartwork.com and @sjonesbyobartwork.

Sonja Jones, Monarch, scratchboard.

Sonja Jones, California Quail, scratchboard. All images © Sonja Jones, shared with permission.

Kaetlyn Able, Nocturne, scratchboard. Kaetlyn Able, Golden Crown, scratchboard.

Kaetlyn Able

Kaetlyn Able, Summer Song, scratchboard.

Kaetlyn Able, Tender Hearts, scratchboard. 56

Montana artist, Kaetlyn Able, deftly combines black and white scratchboard art depicting realistic wildlife, with colorful and whimsical botanicals, creating dreamlike images reminiscent of American and European folktales. A native of the Boston area, Able studied art at Wellesley College and received a master of fine arts from School of the Museum of Fine Arts. Over the years, she experimented with different media, but when she discovered Douglas Smith's scratchboard illustrations in several popular novels, her focus shifted to the medium. "I found the subtractive process of scratchboard very interesting," she says, "and I loved the technique." Able relocated with her family to rural Montana in 2012 and began to add bold, acrylic color to her scratchboard pieces. "I was going through health issues at the time," she says, "and the pops of color expressed the same bittersweet quality I was feeling in my daily life. But my curiosity about blending the two media together has continued to deepen over the years and I want to see what else they can do together — what conceptual meaning and emotional impact does their partnership have on the viewer?" She explains, "In my most recent work, the colorful imagery is meant to represent a garden, a cultivated space, while the wildlife represents the wilderness. I'm drawn to stylized nature-inspired surface patterns. The patterns represent the idea of biophilia: a human desire to commune with nature." To learn about Able's work, visit @kaetlynable or www.kaetlynable.com.

All images © Kaetlyn Able, shared with permission.

Conor Smith, Protector, scratchboard.

Conor Smith When Staffordshire artist Conor Smith isn't working as a paramedic for the National Health Service in the U.K., chances are he'll be in his art studio creating stunning, realistic portraits of wildlife. Smith has had his work featured on the cover of International Artist Magazine and was named a 2023 finalist in the prestigious David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation Wildlife Artist of the Year. Wildlife has always been his passion, but his style and choice of medium went through several experimental stages before he found scratchboard. "I didn't start out intending to work in a realistic style," Smith says. "But as I finished each piece, I felt the urge to add more and more detail, until it drove a passion in me to create realist artwork that might be mistaken for a photograph. This intrigued me." Once he discovered scratchboard, he couldn't put it down. He loved the painstaking details, vivid contrasts between light and dark, and even the challenges. "Scratchboard is a notoriously unforgiving medium," he says. "Every mark made is forever etched into the board, and for some reason, this permanence draws me to it. Every mark must be laid with confidence and commitment." His choice of references for his work is key. He looks for a dramatic pose, complex textures, or intense lighting. "If I can find one that incorporates all three elements, it's a miracle," he says. "It's also important to me to choose endangered and vulnerable status species, to highlight the challenges they face, and try to help any way I can." Find more about Smith's art and process at www.conorsstudio.com and @conorsstudio.

Conor Smith, Sunkissed, scratchboard.

Conor Smith, Untitled, scratchboard. All images © Conor Smith, shared with permission. 57

Chris Ball, Felix, scratchboard.

Chris Ball Chris Ball, Parrot, scratchboard.

Growing up in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire in the U.K., Chris Ball doesn't remember a time when he didn't love to draw. "When I wasn't playing sports, there was always a pencil in my hand," he says. He went on to receive a bachelor's in illustration before relocating to Staffordshire where he lives and works today. Primarily a graphite artist, he discovered scratchboard a few years ago. "I saw a beautiful piece with the most amazing depth and contrast, and I had to learn about it," he says. "After some research, I gave it a go and I was hooked, developing my own style and technique through practice, practice, practice!" Describing himself as "outdoorsy," he finds artistic inspiration when he is out running, cycling, and hiking. "I live in an area known for its natural beauty," he says. "Wildlife, in particular, is the main focus of my art, and I'm a proud member of the Association of Animal Artists because they do such valuable work to heighten awareness and raise funds for wildlife charities." Ball is not striving for photorealism. He feels creative freedom as well as the technical elements of scratchboard are important components of his work. "Scratchboard is like drawing with light," he says. "I look for a strong light source and areas of deep shadow in my work. While I use a little color occasionally in my pieces, I favor the dramatic effect of black and white." Visit www.animalartworkstudio.co.uk or @animalartworkstudio to see more of his work.

Chris Ball, Nibbles, scratchboard. 58

All images © Chris Ball, shared with permission.

Diana Höhlig, Tapir Baby, scratchboard.

Diana Höhlig

Diana Höhlig, Nocturnal Look-Out, scratchboard

Diana Höhlig grew up in the German countryside where she developed a lifelong passion for nature and animals and, even as a child, she expressed that love through art. "I find inspiration and joy in nature," she says, "observing animals in their habitat and gathering reference materials with my camera and sketchbook." In 2008, she discovered scratchboard and found it a perfect medium to showcase her artistic talent, which draws on her knowledge of biology and certification as a field ornithologist. "I believe my years of study in the scientific field helped me to understand my subjects and create accurate artwork." Through research and experimentation with scratchboard, Höhlig developed her own style and technique. "I was enchanted by this medium and felt comfortable from the beginning, gaining more experience over the years," she says. "For me, it is similar to drawing except that it develops from dark to light." In 2013, she submitted her scratchboard art to a juried exhibition for the first time and won the Museum of Natural History in Halberstadt's prestigious Silver Owl award for Best Bird Painter. This launched her professional art career. Höhlig participates in international exhibitions and is active in numerous conservation organizations to help raise funds and awareness for birds and wildlife. In 2022 she was awarded the title of Master Scratchboard Artist by the International Society of Scratchboard Artists. "In my artwork," she says, "I want to capture the most minute details of nature, and a feeling of beauty, perfection, and natural spirit. Scratchboard allows me to reach for this goal, communicating my emotions about nature and wildlife in the drama of black and white contrast, light, and atmosphere." Learn more about Höhlig at www.wild-glance.com and @diana_hoehlig_wildlifeart.

Diana Höhlig, Amur Majesty, scratchboard

All images © Diana Höhlig, shared with permission.

Diana Höhlig, Tender Reflections, scratchboard

SCULPTURE

David Groenjes

Sculptor David Groenjes gives new life to recycled and reclaimed scrap metal by creating extraordinary, one-of-a-kind sculptures of wildlife.

crap metal, gears, nuts, and bolts in all shapes and sizes are piled on worktables and strewn across the floor in David Groenjes' studio. The Wisconsin sculptor thoughtfully eyes the raw materials, feeling their heft in his hand, searching for the perfect curve and shape that will become an integral part in the form that is taking shape as a horse, a coyote, a reptile, or perhaps a giant (and intimidating) spider — the next piece of metal sculpture created by the artist. Groenjes' unique sculptures are predominantly rendered from cast iron, mild steel, and stainless steel parts, 90 to 95 percent of which are reclaimed 60

or recycled from old equipment, cars, tractors, and industrial materials from factories, all of which would otherwise have ended up in landfills or abandoned across the landscape, rusting away. Groenjes grew up and received his education in the Midwest. Always passionate about art and wildlife, he worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service while earning his bachelor's degree in natural resource conservation. A career in the auto repair industry followed, which provided skills that would later serve him well as a sculptor. A move to rural Wisconsin in 2015 finally allowed him to focus on his creative side, with wildlife and the area's natural beauty

Above: Oliver Facing page: Bearded Dragon All images © David Groenjes, shared with permission

David Groenjes, The Florida Panther

providing ample inspiration to launch his successful art career. "I'm grateful for the support and encouragement I received from my family and friends when I started sculpting," he says. "So much beauty that surrounds us is lost to the hurried pace of our everyday lives. Through my art, I strive to remind people of the beauty of nature and to create a heightened appreciation of wildlife and natural resources." Recently, Art and Color 365 talked to Groenjes about his extraordinary sculpture and the process behind it. You've been interested in art since you were a child, but your earlier career path didn't include artistic expression. How did you make the jump from the auto repair industry to creating your sculpture? I think art was always destined to be part of my professional life in some way, it was just waiting for the right time. When I was younger, my uncle, who is very artistic, got involved in making animal sculptures from steel and it really inspired me. 62

After graduating college, the job market in natural resource conservation didn't offer as many jobs as I had hoped. The auto repair industry was something I knew well, was safe, and David Groenjes became my profession, but in the end, something was missing, and that was the creative outlet I've found in my art, as well as a connection with the natural world. It's interesting that while cars and animals don't seem to have much in common, when broken down anatomically, animals have a very mechanical form and lend themselves well to my style of work. Why did you decide to use recycled and found materials in your work? The satisfaction of repurposing or recycling something that would be sent to the landfill or rust away in a field is a major

David Groenjes, Fox

driving force in using recycled material. There are so many products that are wasteful and get thrown away at a very high rate. My desire is to make meaningful and longlasting artwork using the least amount of new materials as possible. In addition to that, there is a connection that people have with the sculpture when they start to notice the pieces and parts that they are composed of. For example, I created a sculpture of a horse and named it Oliver because one of its key elements is a piece from a 100-year-old Oliver plow. The history of the elements became part of the art. That couldn't be achieved in the same way with raw or new materials, and I love that I can take these pieces and give them new life. Your pieces are representational but have abstract elements. How did you develop that technique? This technique started out of necessity in the beginning as my collection of scrap materials was small and I had no special

David Groenjes, Yellow Headed Blackbird

David Groenjes. Above: Junkyard Dog. Top right: Raven. Bottom right: Red-Tailed Hawk

equipment to handle heavy sculptures. However, as I continued, the desire to represent negative space in my work became a major goal, especially in my larger outdoor sculptures. It's a conscious effort not to take the animal too literally. In the process of simulating fur, feathers, or scales, I focus on the texture and pattern versus specific detail of those elements. I want the artwork to be a bit of a puzzle and the viewer needs to finish putting the puzzle together. How does your creative process work — do you decide on a subject, then go to the materials to create it? Or, when you're looking at the raw materials, do they ever inspire you to create something in particular? Some of the ideas for sculptures are inspired by my own outdoor adventures.

Others come from books, documentaries, my kids' interests, or maybe even something from my childhood. On occasion, I will find that "perfect piece" that really looks like it would lend itself well to being a prominent element in a sculpture, and then I'll design a sculpture around it. However, most of my work starts out with an idea for a specific sculpture and the pieces fall into place around it. Find out more about Groenjes' art at www.dgsculptureanddesign.com and @davidgroenjesart. Facing page, top left: Bumblebee Facing page, top right: Eastern Lubber Grasshopper Facing page, bottom: Steamroller

We received more than 500 entries in our 2024 Open Competition and want to thank all the artists who entered. We're excited to announce the winners and award recipients that came in from Australia, Canada, Germany, India, South Korea, Latvia, New Zealand, U.K., and 24 states in the U.S. The submissions represented a remarkable array of genres and media including realism, impressionism, and abstracts rendered in oil, pastel, acrylic, charcoal, watercolor, colored pencil, and others. Please enjoy the exhibition showcasing these fine artists.

All images from the exhibition are under copyright and shared with permission of the artists.

2024 OPEN COMPETITION | WINNERS

1st Place Winning Entry John Suh The Invitation, oil

@john_suh_1 | www.johnsuhgallery.com

See our feature story about the artist on page 80

2024 OPEN COMPETITION | WINNERS

2nd Place Winning Entry Robyn Asquini Cascade, oil @robynasquini | www.robynasquini.com See our feature story about Asquini's art on page 84

2024 OPEN COMPETITION | WINNERS

3rd Place Winning Entry Hugh Greer Barn Swallows, acrylic www.hughgreer.com See our feature story about Greer's art on page 88

2024 OPEN COMPETITION | SPECIAL MERIT

Special Merit | Rosemary Bortolin The Tempest, charcoal, @rosie.bortolin.art

Special Merit | Amy Evans A Capital Afternoon, oil, @amyevansart

Special Merit | Alan Chaney A Spring Day, pastel, @alanchaneyart

Special Merit | Maria Deely Sitku Alaska, colored pencil, @deelydrawings

Special Merit | Michael Gault Cottonwood Reflections, oil, @michaelgaultstudio

Special Merit | Felicia Feldman Eve II, oil, @paintings_fmf

Special Merit | Scott Krohn Shining Through, charcoal, @scottkrohnart

Special Merit | Paula Borsetti • There's a Crack in the Infrastructure..., acrylic, @locuststreetstudios

2024 OPEN COMPETITION | SPECIAL MERIT

Special Merit

Through this Door to the World,

Dragon's Cave, graphite, @john.hanley.art

Patsy Lindamood

John Hanley

graphite, @lindamoodart

Special Merit

Double Ponytail Girl, Runqiao, colored pencil, @xiongyanteng.art

Sweet Days of Summer, oil, @trckaashlee

Yasiin, oil, @nancywalkerart

Xiong Yanteng

Ashlee Trcka

Nancy Walker

Special Merit

Does Not Love You, mixed media,

Just Ripe, acrylic, @carolynpaints

Excuse My French, colored pencil,

Phelan Harris • This Person @phelan.m.harris.studios

Carolyn Marshall Wright

Lorna Dandy

@lornadandyart

2024 OPEN COMPETITION | SPECIAL MERIT

Special Merit | Julie Mello Distrubed Surf, oil, @juliemelloart

Special Merit | Linda Davey Newport Harbor Blues, acrylic, @lindakdavey

Special Merit

Wind on the Front Range, exposed steel, www.glenedigerart.com

Nestled in the Trees, oil, @denise8096

Glen Ediger

Denise Antaya

Special Merit | Paco Martin Tangerine Reflections, colored pencil, @pacomartinart

Special Merit | Erwin Lewandowski Oceanside I, mixed media, www.facebook.com/melewandowski

Special Merit

Rina Naik

Love Note, oil and cold wax, @rinastudio

2024 OPEN COMPETITION | SPECIAL MERIT Special Merit Cher Pruys The Bubble, acrylic, @cherpruys

Special Merit | Renso Tamse River Patrol, watercolor, @renso_tamse_artist

Special Merit | Maureen Spinale Crimson and Clover, pastel, @riverviewstudio

Special Merit | Jill Storey The Art and the Deal, pastel, @jillstoreyart

Special Merit | Svetlin Sofroniev 1 + 3, watercolor, @sofroniev.art

Special Merit | Deborah Shea Golden Cup, pastel, @debdsheastudios

Special Merit | Tatiana Roulin Parisian Twilight, oil, @tatroulin

2024 OPEN COMPETITION | ARTISTIC RECOGNITION

Artistic Recognition | Paul Beckett Resurrection on the Railroad, pen and ink, @p_beckett

Artistic Recognition | Mark Baker

Artistic Recognition | Caryn Coville

Artistic Recognition | Gina Blickenstaff

Artistic Recognition | Matthew Deakin End of an Era, graphite, @mattdeakinartist

Artistic Recognition | Manon Germain

Artistic Recognition | John Jaster

Artistic Recognition | Susie McColgan Innocence, acrylic, @mccolgansusie

My Darling Clementines, colored pencil, @caryncoville

Stargazer, acrylic, @johnjaster.art

January in Parker, pastel, @mark_baker_fineart

South Boulder Meadow #6, oil, @gina_blickenstaff

Nutella for Breakfast, oil, @manongermain_portraits_art

2024 OPEN COMPETITION | ARTISTIC RECOGNITION

Artistic Recognition

Istanbul, watercolor, @sulozturk

Waiting, graphite, @kristen.roskob.fineart

Portrait of a Young Girl, graphite, @gobbifineartstudio

Sultan Ozturk

Kristen Roskob

Lee Gobbi

Artistic Recognition

Dreams of Pompeii, oil, @jamiederrart

Just Saying Hello, gouache, @jencrenshaw.art

On Point, oil, @renata_rebernik_bosnjak_art

Jamie Derr

Jen Crenshaw

Renata Bosnjak

Artistic Recognition

Times Square Before the Pandemic, colored pencil, @artbyshardul

Lion's tooth, cyanotype and mixed media, @jessies6005

Celsius Sea, acrylic, @marksajatovich

Shardul Amit Singh

Jessie Swimeley

Mark Sajatovich

2024 OPEN COMPETITION | ARTISTIC RECOGNITION

Artistic Recognition | Amy Szwaya Short Days in January, mixed media,

Artistic Recognition | Christine O'Dell-Ferguson Ascent, acrylic, @odellfergusonart

Artistic Recognition | Harry Ruddock

Artistic Recognition | Dawn Limbert Summer Glow, pastel, @dawnlimbertart

@amyvkszwaya

Testing the Waters of Summer, watercolor,

@hruddockart

Artistic Recognition | Justin White

Autistic Awe, oil, @justinwhiteartist

Artistic Recognition | Christina Rosepapa

Ladies of the Night, colored pencil, @c.rosepapaart

Artistic Recognition | Allison Krajcik

Silk and Seed, pastel, @colorwhisperer1

Artistic Recognition | Karen Romani

Princess of the Garden, watercolor, @romani.2317

Artistic Recognition | Ken Wallin

Octopus and Friends, acrylic,

@ken_wallin

2024 OPEN COMPETITION | ARTISTIC RECOGNITION

Artistic Recognition

Portside Reflections, watercolor, @knocchino_fineart

Evening Light, oil, @chris.forrest.art

Kristina Occhino

Artistic Recognition | Kelly Ferguson

She Appeared in Gold, acrylic/gold leaf, @odellfergusonart

Artistic Recognition | Lorraine Dey

Caribbean Sea, acrylic, @lorrainedey_art

Christopher Forrest

Artistic Recognition | Kate Fitch

Winter Blush, acrylic, @katemayfitch

Artistic Recognition | Thérèse Légère

Happy Hour at Sunset, oil, @legereart

2024 OPEN COMPETITION | HONORABLE MENTION

Honorable Mention

Untitled, mixed media, @zim13

Salt Flats, mixed media, @michemajcenart

Untitled, oil, @jules_art773

Abstract Floral, mixed media, @tamarameehanart

Mark Zimmerman

Miche Majcen

Jules Hirschkorn

Tamara Meehan

Honorable Mention

A Touch of Paradise, pastel, @cintsartspace

Observer, graphite, @kroneaaron

Marymere Falls Seattle,

Desert Harmony..., oil, @sharonhernlyartist

Secret Doors of the Castle, oil, @ilgonis_rinkis

Jacinta Stevens

Aaron Krone

Annette Alessi

oil, @annettealessi

Sharon Hernly

Honorable Mention

War Hero, graphite, facebook.com/shelley. althouseoberholser

Portrait of Miley, pastel, @taylor_marie_art

Somebody's Home, oil, @amandadagostinoart

Orange Cat, oil, @jenniferfariaartist

Rochelle Oberholser

Taylor Czyscon

Amanda D'Agostino

Jennifer Faria

Ilgonis Rinkis

Honorable Mention Lizzie Jayne • A Taste of Springs Meadows, watercolor,

facebook.com/lizzieJayne22

Honorable Mention

Her Favorite Place, colored pencil, @victoria_twomey_art

We Were Dancing?, acrylic, @paintedladystudiojennyink

Wishing You Were Here, pastel,

What If We Could See Beyond,

Baroque Puglia, watercolor, @klementinamancheva

Victoria Twomey

Jenny Ink

Lorraine Roberts

@lorrainerobertsfineart

Olga McNamara

oil, @olgamcnamara.art

Klementina Mancheva

2024 OPEN COMPETITION | HONORABLE MENTION

Honorable Mention | Cailyn Ferguson

Honorable Mention | Ray Francis

Sundance, acrylic, @odellfergusonart

Storm Strait, oil, @francis_paintings

Honorable Mention

Symphony, acrylic, @tkbrown art

Port Perry Star 1936, acrylic, @theartistwithin86

Machu Picchu, oil, @ashleytoltonart

acrylic, @neuwidemanart

Lauren Walker

Teresa Brown

Ashley Tolton

Karen Neu Wideman

Faithful through Generations,

Honorable Mention

Mighty Blue Chiefs, watercolor, @colorthis18

The Sky Exhales, acrylic, @dmhood_artist

Frosted, mixed media, @kat.block

Glory Days-Taxi Fare-Self-Portrait, oil, @mfdartist

Deb Frederick

Dennis Hood

Kat Block

Matthew Dougherty

Honorable Mention

Parisian Treasure, oil, @jmuller2161

Martha's Vineyard Sunset, oil, www.georgemattinglyart.com

Imagination, charcoal, @drawnbytracey

Old Blue, watercolor, @tracy_rehman_art_tracyshawart

Jamie Muller

George Mattingly

Tracey Prioste

Tracy Shaw (Rehman)

Honorable Mention

Beginning of a New Day, oil, @elaine_porter_art

Pink, acrylic, @painting_elj

Wild at Heart, alcohol inks, @ninajeanyocom

Lavender Coast, acrylic, @anishi.art

Elaine Porter

Emily Joseph

Nina Yocom

Anishi Thanki

Honorable Mention Adam Crist • Rusted Sambucus Nigra, cyanotype,

@adamcrist_art

2024 Open Competition

John Suh

1st Place Winner

ohn Suh's beautifully rendered portraits and still lifes are reminiscent of European classic art and American Impressionism, a tribute to the old masters of the 18th century and the 19th century impressionists. Based in Seoul, South Korea, Suh grew up in an artistic family and loved art as a child. "It was the illustrations in American magazines like Reader's Digest that made me want to be an illustrator," he says, "so I could be like my favorite American artists." As a young man, Suh moved to the United States to study portrait painting attending Hastings College in Nebraska and the National Academy of Fine Arts in Manhattan, as well as the Art Students League of New York under the guidance of renowned artist David Leffel. "Professor Leffel taught me the important basics of classical oil painting including chiaroscuro and visual concepts which gave me a firm foundation in traditional European portrait painting," Suh says.

"You can see the influence of his teaching in my still lifes. "Later, as Suh studied the works of artists John Singer Sargent, Anders Zorn, and Joakin Sorolla, he developed a realistic, elegant, yet bold painting style. "I was impressed by the way these artists combined classical art with the beautiful colors of Impressionism." Suh's portraits have been in high demand since the 1980s with his art exhibited widely and included in corporate and private collections worldwide. He taught at the Art Institute of Colorado for several years and always advised his students to be serious about their art. "Constantly draw whatever you see and whatever you imagine in order to develop hand-eye coordination," he would tell them. "This will be a useful artistic tool your whole life." WEBSITE: www.johnsuhgallery.com INSTAGRAM: @john_suh_1

John Suh | 2024 Open Competition, 1st Place Winner

1st Place Winning Entry: The Invitation, oil Still Life with Citrus and Grapes, oil

John Suh | 2024 Open Competition, 1st Place Winner Self Portrait with Cat, oil

Outdoor Café, oil 82

Luxembourg Garden with Statue, oil

John Suh | 2024 Open Competition, 1st Place Winner Still Life with Hallabong (Orange), oil

Luxembourg Garden, oil 83

2024 Open Competition

Robyn Asquini

2nd Place Winner

oronto artist, Robyn Asquini has always found art to be therapeutic. From a young age she explored various art forms, from drawing and painting to creating clay and papier-mâché sculptures and making jewelry. "I was a shy child," she says, "so working around other creatives was a way of fitting in and making friends." After attending design school, Asquini embarked on a career as a commercial artist, specializing in graphic design and illustration. However, her passion for painting remained undiminished, eventually leading her to focus solely on her painting career. "My work is inspired by anything beautiful, interesting, or moving," she says. "Historical and contemporary images of advertising, photographs, movies, paintings, and apparel informs my overall approach. I'm also inspired by the people around me — my friends, family, and fellow artists and I strive to capture their physical likeness and expression through my art." "I've always been fascinated with diverse art

forms, particularly geometric patterns and abstract compositions,' she says, "yet I never lost my interest in realism. "While studying at the Academy of Realist Art in Toronto, I began experimenting with different brush strokes, fusing realism with abstraction. This led to my series of abstract wave paintings, characterized by the juxtaposition of giant brushstrokes and smooth rendering of the figure." In addition to the Academy of Realist Art, Asquini's art education includes Parsons the New School of Design in New York, and Sheridan College in Toronto. She participates in shows and exhibitions, has won numerous awards, and works full-time as a painter and art instructor. She says, "For me, painting has always been a meditative practice that allows me to process and make sense of the world." WEBSITE: www.robynasquini.com INSTAGRAM: @robynasquini

Robyn Asquini | 2024 Open Competition, 2nd Place Winner

2nd Place Winning Entry: Cascade, oil

Folly, oil 85

Robyn Asquini | 2024 Open Competition, 2nd Place Winner

These Boots Were Made for Walking, oil

Apothecary, oil 86

Robyn Asquini | 2024 Open Competition, 2nd Place Winner

Broadview, oil

Summer Dreamscape, oil

Portrait of Smruti, oil 87

2024 Open Competition

Hugh Greer

3rd Place Winner

inding inspiration for his landscape paintings, award-winning artist Hugh Greer surveys the natural beauty around him. "When I'm choosing what to paint," he says, "what draws my attention is the way the light dances off a subject, light against dark, color, and the perfect composition." "There is usually no deep meaning influencing my art. I just want people to look at my paintings and enjoy what they see. When someone sees my work and says, 'I know where that is!' it makes me happy." Greer's love for art goes back to his childhood. "Part of the reason I was drawn to art was my dyslexia. Regular classes were difficult, but I was okay in art, so art became my path to acceptance." Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, Greer had a 40-year career in architectural illustration. While attending University of Kansas, he supplemented his income with architectural renderings and by embellishing certificates with Old English lettering.

"Throughout my career as an architectural delineator I painted in my spare time," he says, "I began making real progress with my art, and when I became involved with several galleries, I chose to leave my job and make the transition to full-time artist." Asked if he had any advice for aspiring artists, Greer replied, "Art is fun but not necessarily easy. Is art your hobby or do you want to make a living with your art? If you want to earn a living with it, find your market, and spend hours and hours perfecting your craft. "It's also a good idea for the public to become familiar with your name and art. One way to do this is to volunteer your artistic talent and, perhaps, even donate your art to worthy causes. "Success usually will not happen overnight. You have to work, work, work!" WEBSITE: www.hughgreer.com

Hugh Greer | 2024 Open Competition, 3rd Place Winner

3rd Place Winning Entry Barn Swallows, acrylic

Angel's Gate, acrylic

Waiting for Breakfast, acrylic 89

J EW E L RY

Cassandra Mae Harris Not So Flatware This artisan jeweler reworks vintage flatware to create her popular rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings for those looking for the unusual.

assachusetts-based artisan jeweler, Cassandra "Cas" Mae Harris, loved her grandmother's original Towle Silversmiths spoon ring and wore it for years. During that time, she developed a passion for flatware with intricate patterns that had been hammered, bent, twisted, and reformed to create one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry. Remembering how her jewelry career came about, she says, "It started with a phone call from my sister. While shopping at a flea market where we looked for antique jewelry, she had found a Towle silver fork and wondered if I could try to make it into a ring for her." Harris gave it a try, created a ring that was far better than they expected, and at the same time, lit a spark that steered her life journey to a path of creativity and independence. It was tough going at first. "The next pieces of jewelry I attempted were failures," Harris says. "I bought flatware every weekend and destroyed it all as I tried to make rings." Determined to figure it out, she found the right tools and, learning through trial and error, eventually was able to consistently create appealing, perfectly round rings. "I refused to give up," she says. "I had made one ring, so I knew I could make another." Harris opened an Etsy shop in 2013, expecting to build her business slowly, but soon it was clear she would have to quit her day job to meet the growing demand for her work, and since 2015, running her business, Not So Flatware, has been her only career. Much of the appeal of her jewelry is that each finished piece is unique, not only because they are handwrought, but also because some of the spoons and forks Harris finds are rare (she once found one dated 1828). Some of this vintage flatware has intricate designs including birds and animals, a woman churning butter, a woman serving tea, and early souvenir spoons from different states. Each one contains a work of art that becomes part of the jewelry. Speaking of her success Harris says, "I decided to venture out on my own so all my time could be focused on what I love to do, and so far, it was the best decision I could have made." See Harris' jewelry at www.notsoflatware.com and @notsoflatware. 90

Sterling Spoon Mermaid Tail Pendant, Grande Baroque

Rare Tea Server Sterling Ring

Not So Flatware Sterling Silver Bracelets