WSAG Members' Show

Members' Exhibit Award Winners—2009

West Suburban Artist Guild
Art Show
Into the Light
October 16, 2009

.Sharron Ott, Judge
Great art strengthens us, and continues the lines of communication within
society. These have been established throughout the history of the human race.
I personally believe that no one piece of art is better than any other.
I believe that the utmost priority is that the artist is true to expressing what is in
their heart, and in their mind. We each strive to continually improve on our own
ability to display our inner being to our audience. Every artist has a personal
reason for wanting to communicate.
I see a judging, such as this, as a way for us all to learn from each other. I
always feel privileged to view others art work because it helps me in my own
endeavors. We are all constantly growing, we can always learn from each other.
All of the pieces in this show are wonderful. It is an honor to have been asked
to serve as a judge for the West Suburban Artist Guild.
I have judged this show considering 3 areas of criterias:
1. Technique, qualities such as: composition, use of color, handling of the
medium, use of contrast, perspective etc.
2. Mood, how well the artist has captured a feeling, and how clearly this is
conveyed to the audience.
3. Readability, how cohesive the painting reads from a distance as well as up
close.

Congratulations to the winners!

Theme: Into the Light

Best of Show: Helen Van Tempera

"Southwest Light"

Best of Show Award

Southwest Light #39

H. Van Tempera

Oil

This is a dynamic composition in which the space is divided in a most appealing

way. The entire left front section is filled with gorgeous reds and vermilions.

Jutting up on the right side is a clear bright yellow mountain. This yellow is then

carried across the canvas with bits of color in a horizontal line. But nowhere else

on this piece do we see that same yellow, showing sophisticated discernment of

color on the part of the artist. The palette is limited, and powerful. The thick

application of paint creates a lovely impasto, encompassing rich details. The two

bushes in the foreground are depicted with a subtle variation in color, using thick

paint, are defined with the successful use of scraffitto separating them from the

rocks behind them. This scraffitto is used sparingly, and brilliantly, it is a difficult

technique to include in a piece The entire canvas seems to glow; one can almost

feel as if they are there in this exquisite mountainous landscape. The soft lilac

mountains in the distance, recede nicely, and provide a cool contrast to the warm

colors in the foreground.

The palette knife usage is incredibly well crafted. The contrasting elements of:

warm and cold, dark and light, create movement throughout the picture. This is a

masterpiece of technique and interpretation.

THeme Award: Carol Friedle

"Out of the Dark - Into the Light"

Theme Award

Out of the Dark Into the Light #9

Carol Fiedle
Mixed media

The atmosphere captured here with incredibly presence. As a viewer I felt that I

was in a very dark space, and that the light from the open door was beckoning

me from beyond. Almost I could feel the closeness of the room, and I desired to

walkout into the sun. The elegant use of collage creates textured layers, upon

which paint is applied, providing interest, and nuance. The overall composition is

very strong, and provides us with an excellent example of the golden rectangle.

The large simplified areas dynamically contrast the small open door of light. The

edge, which is created with newspaper glazed with sienna, establishes an

attractive frame in a subtle way. This piece is expressionistic and loose and yet

crystal clear in depicting the theme of this show.

Walgren Watercolor: Dana Stawski

"Old Town"

Walgren Water Color Award

Old Town #31

Dana Stawski

Watercolor

This piece depicts the essence of Chicago from a by-gone era, with it's water

towers, chimneys, and smog. The perspective is interesting as it allows the

viewers to gaze across the rooftops. The earth tone palette is successful in

establishing the image of our industrial, and matter of fact city. Large quiet areas

balance delicate details scattered about the picture. There is a strong use of light

and dark, establishing dynamic contrast. Diagonal lines lead the audience into

the piece and then guide the eye adroitly about the space. This is a pleasant

piece to gaze at, to spend time with, and to discover the objects with in it.

Excellence: Maureen McKee

"River of Gold #12"

Excellence Award
River of Gold #12
Maureen McKee
Monotype

This piece is so delightfully loose and at the same time completely controlled.
The medium is well used to display clean brilliant colors, and a well-balanced
arrangement of shapes. The viewer is enticed to enter the space by its glowing
river. Successful experimentation with technique creates swooshes in the grass,
and mysteriously illuminated forms in the sky. The purple in the distant trees is
affective in showing the depth of the landscape, contrasted by the complimentary
yellow in the foreground.

Excellence: Steve Johnson

Twilight - Stratford Upon Avon #10

Excellence Award
Twilight - Stratford Upon Avon #10
Steve Johnson
Oil

This is a small piece of art, and yet it has a strong presence. The impact is felt on
the viewer from far across the room. The twilight colors, with the deep shadows,
embody the end of a damp day, yet the skys are now clear. The handling of
perspective is very strong and well drafted. The diagonals, horizontals, and
verticals are carefully placed to provide an rathert musical pattern. A play of dark
and light creates depth in an unpredictable manner due to the illumination from
streetlights, accompanied by the glow from the late day sun. The purple in the
front left balances the yellow dots of color in the middle and right. The rich
application of the paint creates nuances within the spaces

Merit Award: Mary Jo Bruno

"Sky's Melancholy Celebration #3"

Merit Award
Sky's Melancholy Celebration #3
Mary Jo Bruno
Pastel

This represents a delightful experimental arrangement of shapes with in the
picture plane. The bold horizon is the only linear element, with about 75% of the
picture being sky. The clouds are wonderfully handled, they are busy and yet
calmly brooding. The overall effect is soothing. The landscape fades to dark as it
recedes speaking of an impending storm. We feel the suspense of the moment,
as nature is about to reveal its strength. The touches of Orange in the foreground
around the bottom edge suggest at first a feeling of lightness, and then the
viewer recedes deep into the field to find the awaiting drama.
West Suburban Artist Guild

Merit Award: Margaret Zwadlo

"Flight #43"

Merit Award
Flight #43
Margaret Zwadlo
Acrylic

Here we see a bold combination of two spaces within one picture plane, each
with a different mood. One is warm, fiery, almost tribal, the other lighthearted and
playful. This could represent the duality often encountered in life, and the attempt
to integrate these opposing elements. The rhythm is created with the use of
curves placed sparingly through out the piece. The objects seem to alternate
between floating in a gravitationless space and burning in a smoldering fire. Rich
Oranges carry the viewer on an adventure around the canvas, unexpected detail
appears upon closer inspection. The element of contrast is found within the lights
and darks.

Merit Award: Diana Nawrocki

"Miro Fantasy #23"

Merit Award
Miro Fantasy #23
Diana Nawrocki
Textile Fiber

Behold a joyful celebration of color, and texture, and shape. This composition
presents a steady rhythm, like a playful melody skipping across a sunny field.
The lines of the materials used create an underlying rhythm unabashed by the
objects of the design. Bright colors, pastels and metallic gold fill the space with
happiness. The technical skills are well executed and intriguing.

People's Choice Awards were given to:

Cherie Salerno for her painting, "Looking"

and

Katie Mussion for "Looking Up"