Judges are Fickle

The Oak Path,  9x12" watercolor, $300

The more I enter into juried shows, the more bewildered I become. This painting, The Oak Path, recently won a category 1st place at Central California Art Association's spring show. I entered it along with three other paintings which were all accepted into the show.

I almost didn't enter this one.

I painted it one morning a few months ago on the grounds of Ironstone Vineyards (where I was at a reception for another painting which had won a prize -- see my prior post). I don't actually paint "en plein aire" very often, but it was a beautiful day.

It turned out pretty good, I thought. But, its small, and not that unusual. I'd like to ask the judge what made her pick this one over the others in the category. I guess I should just be happy about it. The prize paid for the framing.

Brussels Sprouts, 16 x 20" watercolor, $600

I actually won another prize in the same show -- a second place in the still life category -- for a painting I thought was actually much better. Brussels Sprouts took a lot more skill to execute, more time, its bigger.... I'll just be happy about this prize as well.

Summer Art Fun

Get your young ones signed up for one of my great camps and or classes! Take your pick: 2 weeks available at my home studio (see below, call me to register), two 3-day sessions at the Great Valley Museum in Modesto (see also below, register at the museum), or one of the fabulous camps scheduled in the Turlock at the Carnegie Arts Center (register online at  http://register.asapconnected.com/Courses.aspx?CourseGroupID=4011)