Northstar Watercolor Society

Fall Show 2010

By Connie Keithahn

 

Congratulations to all the artist winners at the Northstar Watercolor Society Fall Show 2010! The show itself is one of our best with such a great variety of styles and images. It is very fun to see how all the artists participating have grown in their work and we are so appreciative.

Andy Evensen was the Fall show Juror. He said he looked for artistic techniques, the application of style, and then the creative approach that the artists took to choose the winners.   

 

Awards:
Honors Award:

Rebecca Cardinal: “Patisserie”: Judge’s comments: I noticed the technique 1st, very creative approach. Had natural looking figures on the sidewalk, as if they were shopping; very nice presentation and framing for this batik piece.

 

Chriscell Bedard: “Sitting at a back table”  Judge’s Comments: One feels like you are sitting at a back table, liked the bold approach with the small simple figures in the back and a combination of washes in the background gave this painting a feeling of really being there.

Nels Femrite: “Gardner’s Barn” Judge’s Comments: This painting shows great drawing skills, nice use of color  - no holding back, no hesitation. The barn washes are great, especially the shadows under the eaves. Likes the character of the sagging buildings, and the fence. I like the purples in the foreground, and the sunlight spots throughout with color and lights throughout.

Dick Graves: “Day at the Beach”  Judge’s Comments: A very fun painting, feels like one is at the beach in the warm sun. Color scheme is also fun. It is a seaside town with lots going on; love the shadows throughout the painting.

Susan McCleen-Keeney: “Untitled” Judge’s Comments: Such strong shapes throughout, beautiful mistiness of the atmosphere, impressive lines in the buildings, great shapes give strength to the landscape.

Linden Dahlstrom:

“A Time for Summer to end” Judge’s comments: Great style and subject. Great handling of medium with small plantings, warmer subject all nicely done. Bold application of paint is what came out of this painting.

Merit Awards:

Barb Neihart: “Shore Lunch”  Judge’s comments: Loved this figure, as he felt like after one look he knew the guy. Nice balance with great whiskered face, with wonderful facial expression. Very believable painting. 

Deb Magelssen: “Gift of Patience” Judge’s Comments: This abstract really caught my eye. Glorious color and texture in the sky – looks like a landscape with a small pool, very calm areas. A very strong abstract painting.

Calvin deRuyter: “Hilltop” Judge’s Comments: Such a strong painting. The force of nature, painting clouds on the move, capturing the movement, great job! The forms have colors and depth which make the clouds

airy and light, yet moving so strongly. The colors moving throughout

the painting also captured his eye. A masterful blend of color throughout.

Rita McDonald: “Rhythm of Spring” Judge’s Comments: Loved this painting!  Blend of colors, the paint handling techniques, color scheme, using complementary colors, subtle washes moving into thicker paint. So well done!

 

Awards of Excellence:

Caroline Streed: “A Different Perspective” Judge’s Comment: Doing a still life with the perspective of looking down on the plate is very difficult. The textures, lights and darks were nicely done. The plate has subtle color tones, and the pears each have the right amount of texture, lights and darks. Very well done!

Emmy White: “Hot tub series, Florida” Judge’s Comments: This painting has something to say!  The artist has lots of experience showing this pool party. The colors are vibrating, it is a summer painting, that makes one feel like you are there in the water. Great at establishing depth from foreground to back.

Joyce Ells: “Wine and Tulips” Judge’s comments: Just a wonderful transparent watercolor:  nice variety of tones, lost edges, the composition, the vision of the artist. Wonderful personality of the flowers and backgrounds. Wow!

Best of Show:

Susan Voigt: “Paint the Town Red, Series #3” Judge’s comments: This is a strong portrait of a busy street. We walk around and barely see things:  people, maybe a bus or delivery truck; the monochromatic  buildings and street, and people, with just a highlight of the red stop light right in the middle, and a piece of that red in a scarf on one person, and the green back of the bus….very dramatic touches. No hesitant brush strokes, the textures of the sky with the grays and the speed of the lines on the street, makes for a great portrait of a busy city street.

 

People's Choice Award:

 

Congratulations to Marianne Schulze for her painting in the Fall Show.  The folks attending the reception voted, and her painting is the People's Choice Award!