By Linda Flowers and Leisa Patin, Gallery Directors
June 2023 Gallery Conversations
This month’s “General” theme encouraged many artists to participate in the show. Due to the wonderful participation, the gallery is now displaying 80 beautiful paintings. It is a moveable feast as Hemingway depicted in his book, but in this case, it is a moveable feast for the eyes. A bunny showed up to partake in the gallery festivities along with a little tuxedo bird. Even an old car can be elegant if you know how to capture its curves.
Our judge for June was Judi Coffey. She was past president of WAS-H from 1986-1987 and past president of The International Society of Experimental Arts. The Houston Chronicle has written about her art and other outlets such as American Artist Magazine and The West Wind Review have also mentioned her work. Judi works in a variety of mediums including watercolor and collage.
Gallery Directors, Leisa and Linda, get the reception started.
Leisa and Judge Judi Coffey.
Adam receives his honorable mention.
First Place
Jacqueline Liddell
“Seaside Sushi”
Judge: "This piece is very well done. It's very colorful and just fun.”
Artist: Jacqueline loves crabbing. She explains that the crab “Barnacle Bill” is a permanent model in her studio. She has used him in several of her paintings.
Second Place
Mohammad Ali Bhatti
“Blue Sonata”
Judge: “I like abstract paintings. I wish this was a full sheet or a diptych. It would be so much more exciting. The color and composition pulls you into the painting and moves your eyes around.
Artist: This was a study for a larger painting.
Third Place
Eleanor Buchan
“Backstage”
Judge: “The background was so perfect, it didn’t look painted. I like that it was different and stood out among the others.
Artist: This is a painting of me and my father when I played a part in the "Wizard of Oz". My father was part of the backstage crew.
Fourth Place
Cheryl Evans
“Cologne Cathedral Sentinels”
Judge: “This is Just a wonderful painting and beautifully done. So many things to look at.”
Artist: I was in Cologne Germany towards the end of the day when I looked up and saw the Sentinels. The color just exploded as the sun was setting.
Honorable Mention
Leisa Patin
“Winter In NYC Chinatown"
Judge: "This is an interesting street scene and well done. I love oriental touches.”
Artist: This was a sunny day in NYC. I try to depict scenes with light and dark contrast. Due to my engineering background, I enjoy buildings and perspective.
Honorable Mention
Adam (Yidan) Zhao
"My Neighbor, Mr. Robinson"
Judge: "This is a very well done portrait. His face brings back memories.
Artist: I appreciate the opportunity that WAS-H gives us to show and exhibit our work. I continue to hone my figurative skills by attending the Model lab on Wednesday. It's a great resource.
Honorable Mention
Robin Avery
Judge: “This piece has such bright colors. It's fun to look at."
Artist: After years of seeing fields of poppies, sunflowers, lavender, mustard and Spring flowers in the fields of France, I’ve created paintings that echo the colors of Provence.
My tubes of paints shouted to be open and to be whisked across the crisp white paper.
I think about neighboring colors and the direction I want the viewers eyes to take.
Honorable Mention
Susan Giannantonio
“Fortyleven”
Judge: “I really like abstract paintings and this one caught my eye. I just wish it was matted, to add the space it needs to breathe.”
Artist: Experimenting with abstracting the landscape has been a great deal of fun! It takes on a life of its own.
