 |
Welcome to this year’s “9th Annual Color: Bold/Subtle International Juried Online Art Exhibition”!
Firstly, let it be known that there were some exciting works that were quite moving in terms of what was communicated by the artworks, both technically and conceptually. Secondly, we want to thank all the artists whose works were selected because each work represents some aspect of their experiences in life.
Following are some remarks about particular works recognized for some special visual character and/or insight into the human condition:
Debra Anne Brechbiel of Platte City, Missouri has an interesting approach to photographic processes. Especially engaging is her digital work “Total Despair” in which the an overall placement of a face overlaps a scene in the distance. The wide open eyes and mouth bespeak of a calling out for help. The strong value contrast and pattern sets a strong compositional stage.
Arlissa H. Dockery of Greenville, North Carolina uses the new media of digital collage in a Giclée Print to orchestrate a most profound message in her work “Knit in the Womb”. The bright and warm coloration of the baby in the circular arrangement surrounded primarily by the cool blue-greenish treatment gives dramatic emphasis to the subject of new life.
Pat Goltz of Tucson, Arizona incorporates fractal patterning in an impressive and colorful work entitled “Impassionate Flame”. The rich golden yellow flame is intricately positioned on the edge of contrasting red-violet bulbous shapes. The rather calm coolness with the burning area is quite striking.
Jeni Gray of Lilliwaup, Washington uses her graphic skills in a richly colored flower-like imagery in “Girasole”. The fine texture of the center gives focus to the radiating petals that are fantastically colored in light blue, orange, green, yellow and red. This one sparkles.
Janet Green of Chicago, Illinois comes up with an honorable piece in her glass work “I Love You”. It us certainly appropriate to use the heart icon fir such a message, however it has so much more feeling in the way it is created. The colorful glass pieces dancing around add a kind of happiness feeling.
Tristan Guger of Lodi, Wisconsin creates an interesting vertical oil on wood piece. Initially attractive is the rich painterly quality and tonal contrast. Additionally a sense of mystery develops, noticing the upper right eye and especially in considering the title “Believer”. Such words as “Peace” and “Forever” can be seen in the textural treatment adding to the heartfelt depth in this painting.
Kate Hansen of Baltimore, Alberta, Canada shares a great deal in two very nice conté pastel crayon works. “Bathtime” is an endearing realistic portrayal of a little baby. The warmth of the skin tone color in the cool water is a wonderful vision to behold. Her “Madonna and Child” extends the loving theme using the spiritual context in the use of the gold leaf type halos surrounding each head.
Maxine Harris of Winona, Texas examines many feelings represented in portraiture. One of the most poignant is the one titled “My Everyday Life” in which the composition and character seem more expressive.
Aspen Hochhalter of Charlotte, North Carolina, in a digital lith print, depicts what may be familiar to some but quite unusual in its portrayal with the eye looking upward as an eye liner is in position. This “Untitled” piece is striking.
Greg Jones of Liverpool, New York has captured several expressions of the human form especially in his most colorful photographs “Untitled #2”, “Untitled #4” and “Untitled #6”, the latter rather strong in the muted hues and the contrast of the body opposite the window in the dark. Each of his six untitled works are excellent in color and drama.
Paul Richmond of Columbus, Ohio is indeed a master painter. He brings to the show a dynamic intensity that certainly has the “wow” factor. His rather large oil painting “Not Just a Closet” not only shows a transitional state in a somewhat surrealistic manner, the coloration is magnificent. Another one of his fantastic works in acrylic is “Self Illusion”. Bigger than life the rich imaginative portrait is awesome in the play of neutral tones and bright colors as well as the play of light and dark patterns.
Fritz Suter of Van Nuys, California lyrically presents a rather free form view of California in “California Garden” with a delightful polychromatic color scheme in a moving pattern also rich in various playful shapes.
Ralph White of Redondo Beach, California boldly states in dynamic color and a thick texture of acrylic paint a work entitled “Neon Tide” with glowing pink and yellow moving together with red and turquoise. All of his paintings are quite attractive and convincing.
And lastly, Stephen Zimmerman of Seattle, Washington captures a Chinese woman carrying her baby in “New Mother, China”. Considering the linear structuring in the upper left and the brightly colored woman and child moving on, there is a sense of the idea of population and growth in the new China.
So, let us all be thankful that there are so many talented artists who are able to showcase their work in such a show in which color is somewhat important is varying degrees. And that there are artists to use art as a means to communicate.
Sincerely, |
| |
Sincerely,
Larry Bradshaw
Curator, Professor of Art |
|
