Sweet Smells of Summer
by Linda Nystrom

Hidden Barns at Harvey Ranch
by Annie Haines

The Coast Beckons
by Patti Pierce

September Shiraz
by Leslie Landers

Maui Goat
by Peter Carey

Every Leaf Speaks
by Candy Yu

My Rose
by Lena Sage

Confusion
by Margaret Bailey

Enjoying the Light
by Candy Yu

Big Boat Little Boat
by Annie Haines

Hayes Mansion
8 x 10 inches
by John Ediger

Portola Vineyard
15 x 11 inches
by Richard Bloechi

Nina at Moss Landing
14 x 20 inches
by Christine Oliver

Campbell Water Tower
7 x 10 inches
by Annie Haines

Song Writer
by Dmitry Grudsky

Juror's comments:  “Song Writer” by Dmitry Grudsky depicts a young woman with green highlights in her hair surrounded by blues.  Everything, from the loose watercolor work in the girl’s shirt and background (leading the viewer to the girl’s exceptionally crafted face), to the coloring of the girl’s almost translucent skin, and a dreamy look on her face, all work together compositionally - and with it’s unique coloring choices - to create an unearthly quality to this piece.  Everything pulls the viewer to the girl’s eyes; which look dreamily out at the world and leave us wondering what she must be thinking. Exceptional in every way.

Hamilton
by Susan Jochheim

Juror's Comments: Susan Jochheim shows the viewer the Orpheum theater with its “Hamilton” sign thus giving the work its name. Susan shows what watercolor can do with an experienced hand at the helm.  Gently adding the bold orange of the sign into the details of the building’s face Susan pulls the viewer's sight up, ever higher in the work, until one almost seems to crane their neck to take in the view.  The light watercolor work, the composition, the details, clever use of washes, the bold orange of the sign, and the expert touches all work together to make “Hamilton” a wonderfully executed watercolor that produces a “lifting” experience in the observer.

Sunny Centerpiece
by Susan Butler-Graham

Juror's Comments: Susan Butler-Graham’s “Sunny Centerpiece” spotlights the floral arrangement of sunflowers in a clear vessel.  At first look, a viewer might conclude the painting’s focus is in the middle of this artwork - which is normally not suggested.  However, the skilled techniques and the title of this work has this viewer second-guessing as to whether Susan deliberately centered the “centerpiece” or is cleverly pulling the eyes towards the true focus which is the dome of sunflowers.  While each may be true, the petals at the base of the centerpiece and the long stems pulling the eyes up, suggests the latter. Susan’s use of bold, bursting colors in the sunflowers exhibits an undeniable colorist at work in this painting which is also evidenced by the use of purple (complimenting the yellow petals) in the flower’s centers instead of a brown.  The refraction of the stems through the glassware is slight but also demonstrates the mastery of the artist and all of these unique features come together to make this piece stand out.

Fresh
by Zhi Su

Juror's Comments: “Fresh” by Zhi Su seems to depict a table at a farmer’s market.  Zhi uses colors very effectively in this detailed artwork and her composition draws the viewer’s eyes across the page expertly. The painting might have had a greater feeling of depth had Zhi “blurred” the patrons in the background (upper right-hand corner) with light washes and less detail, however, that is a subtle issue and there are many more highlights in this work to draw the focus.  One such detail being the chalkboard on the box that Zhi expertly illustrates. One can imagine the work necessary to create, not only the chalk writing, but the detail of previously erased chalk. Another highlight is the way the viewer can clearly see the effects of the weight of the basket on the cardboard box. These rich details and the contrast, in lights and darks, in this work merge effectively to show a masterful still life.

Clementina's Garden
by Eileen Logsdon Bugée

Juror's Comments: “Clementina’s Garten” by Eileen Logsdon Bugée is a fearless floral work that has bold brushwork, brilliant colors, and patterning; all of which summate to provide the piece with depth, texture, and atmosphere.  By laying a “field” of muted greens in patterns, flower buds, and swirls to frame and contrast with the bright, eye-catching purple of the flowers, Eileen makes those flowers “pop” off of the page at the viewer.  Compositionally effective, Eileen’s work generates a contrast between the muted greens and the bright purple; which expertly focus the viewer on the flowers while allowing for the discovery of ethereal quality underlining their beauty.

Dance on a Branch
by Edna Acri

Juror's Comments: Edna Acri’s “Dance on a Branch” is a wonderful example of why watercolors are a perfect medium for floral art.  In this piece, Edna demonstrates a mastery of watercolor techniques and composition. The washes - both light and dark - in the background, drive the flowers of this work to the foreground where Edna’s light brushwork of barely colored washes in the flower’s petals generate the translucence of which watercolors are so famous and to which so many watercolorists strive to capture in their works.

This was a tie award!

This was a tie award!

Juror's comments:

I saw two versions of this image in the show entries.  I thought it was an interesting composition in both using simple everyday objects. The first one was well done, but then in this one the artist took a chance, letting things go and using materials in a different way. I was impressed that this one had pushed the limits of what that image and materials could do in such an interesting way. The colors all hold together really well. It is loose enough that you can see the paint and see the artist hand, but it is also clear.

Juror's comments:

The strength of this composition is surprising. In some ways, it is traditional.  There is this overlapping that happens with the mountain and the trees; but it is the way  the watercolor is handled that is so pleasing. The contrast of the complementary colors is really good - I wouldn’t have thought to use it in this way. There is an element of surprise in this one, a gentle surprise that is not trying to bowl you over with shapes or color.  It is a very simple, clean composition.

Juror's comments:

I really appreciate the textures within this one and the way they work with the colors. There are beautiful color shapes but then the texture moves the composition through these little linear shapes up in the corner. It has rich color against more subtle muted colors, lots of contrast – dark light as well – there is a lot going on, but it all holds together in a nice way. It feels almost like a flower blooming out from the dark to the light, but still holds on to the abstraction.