Among the winners, was Maria Carter, who won first place in the oil/acrylic category for Field of Flowers. Knap said, “I thought it was a compelling composition with bold and strong brush strokes and layering of rich colors with a contrast of gray earth tones in the forefront.” Regarding Carter’s other work, which won Most Original, Knap said, “It looks like a field of flowers and shows a dramatic beauty through the use of layering of color, rhythm, texture and repetition of patterns.” Carter said that most of her work is done with a palette knife rather than brushes.
Knap was clearly focused on pattern and the interplay of lights and darks. Regarding Loli Stams work, which garnered second place, Knap stated Stams work that the plant had a balance of light and dark colors and warm and cool colors which give a dramatic play of light and harmony to the piece. Loli spoke briefly about the piece at Saturday’s reception (Nov. 17), held at the Fluvanna Public Library.
“It is more of an emotional thing with me. I also use broad brush strokes.”
Hella Viola was surprised to win first place in the photography category.
“It is running water in a stream over rocks and moss. I take many photos and then select the best one,” she said. Knap stated that the repetition of light and dark shapes and colors gives balance and contrast and an abstract feel.
Second place went to Paul Stams for his Bloody Bride, a haunting, almost terrifying dark piece reminiscent of Edgar Alan Poe with a bride covered in blood and a dark carriage nearby. Knap sees it as almost a fantasy piece. She views it in a more technical sense rather than its emotional impact.
“It is an excellent composition which balances light and dark values that emphasize the effect of distance. The human figure that recedes in the distance gives a mystical colorful dream-like quality to the piece,” said Knap.
Stams also got an honorable mention for Looking In The Window. Taken in Wales, the shot is taken outside the window looking in at a person sitting. Stams adds that the figure is a statue. This photo is dramatic and has an emotional impact.
Janet Rugari won in the mixed media category for her scratchboard.
“This piece draws the viewer in with flowers that give color the center of interest.”
Mickey Meyer was surprised at her second place win. Knap states the painting of a landscape with a house was delightful and enhanced with natural components. The components were reeds and twigs used to make trees, giving it a three dimensional form.
Lorrain LaVista took most of the awards in watercolor with her boats. She got Best in Show for Primary Colors, what Knap described as a red and blue boat that has a vibrant and swirling colors of red, blue and yellow repeated throughout this dramatic painting which gives a strong visual appeal with an air of refreshing spontaneity. The brush strokes give strong sense of energy and movement.
“I experimented with basic forms and just took out the details,” said LaVista.
Knap’s love of watercolors gave special notice to this category. Other than LaVista’s work, Knap gave first place to talented artist Mary Ann Friedman for her Through The Leaves. It was an abstact which Knap cited as a simple, happy painting with the repetition of warm colors, giving the painting harmony and balance. Many members gravitated to this piece because of its warmth.
Ellen Keane also won second in this category for her delicate and graceful persimmon tree branch.
In the dry category, Liz Ellis won it for her laughing llama and second place went to Lorraine Momper for her graceful flower. There were also many honorable mentions, including Deborah Nixon’s two people kissing on a bridge. The colors were lush and cool with pops of purple. Angela Lackey racked up kudos for her cat portrait Icing done in pencil. Her other works were equally pleasing and unforgettable as in Three Smiles, which captures the mischief of the three greyhounds. Her Border collie portrait was also executed in flawless detail.
Virginia Stromberg’s still life of a bowl of fruit was classic, reminiscent of the old masters.
The honorable mentions were spread throughout the exhibit because the piece distinguished itself for any number of reasons. President Deborah Nixon summed it up by saying, “These pieces are a celebration of art and the artist.”
