By Brian Flaherty, Gallery Co-Director

The June 2024 Gallery paintings at the Watercolor Art Society - Houston (WAS-H) are an exploration of Movement. Curated by Sandra Jacobs and Brian Flaherty, this month's exhibition provided opportunities for artists to show us their ideas around things that move. Our artists created 43 artworks by 17 artists. 

Our judge this month was Peter Broz. Peter teaches at the Art League of Houston. He previously taught high school art at HISD for four years. He volunteers at The Woods Project, a local non-profit wilderness exploration and education program for disadvantaged students. He graduated from the University of Houston with a B.F.A. in studio painting.

His works have been exhibited at several galleries in the Houston area including the Mariago Collective, Hardy and Nance, The Blaffer Museum, and Archway Gallery. In 2014 he received the Jurors ward for his 2014 BIG SHOW at Lawndale. Most recently, works are focused on the sensory aspect of experiencing nature as well as the primal and instinctual aspects of human nature.

Peter uses a variety of materials in creation of his art such as watercolor, acrylic, ink, pencil, etc. and most recently digital art. Figurative elements as well as natural and biological references are utilized to suggest a narrative between humans and nature.  Furniture design and woodworking has also been a long-term passion, as it’s deeply rooted in a reverence for the beauty of natural materials like wood.

Notes from Peter regarding the winning paintings he selected are below. Please stop in and see these paintings in person. I think you’ll enjoy the depictions of things that move! 

1st Place

Sandra Jacobs

"Changing Ways"

Judge's Comments: "Exemplifies that feeling of movement through a very interpretive kind of approach. Not super literal but it has this great interest in different textures, very subtle, yet very crisp hard edges. I find my eyes moving around the piece interested in the entire area, even though it's only a 10 by 10 piece."

2nd Place

Fontaine Jacobs

"Rising Fog" 

Judge's Comments: “The atmospheric quality of it really draws you in. It's a much more subtle way of representing movement, and the treatment of the background is almost like an abstract quality. It's calm yet again it has these areas of warm and cool colors. The juxtaposition of colors gives it that kind of liveliness even though it does feel calm.” 

3rd Place

Cheryl Evans

"Paintings in the time of the Pandemic"

Judge's Comments: “The compositional quality is very interesting. I don't know if I can designate just one focal point as I find my eyes moving a lot around this piece. I had to really spend time with it to appreciate it. There's a nice blend between representational and more experimental abstract approaches. It really conveys the feeling of movement.”

Honorable Mentions

Mike Doan

"Cascade en France #2"

Judge's Comments: "One waterfall, with an almost print-like quality. There are crisp edges that contrast between the dark areas and the highlights. You notice subtle differences and highlights. It's one of those pieces that when you stand really far back in the gallery, it catches your eye. Very strong sense of downward movement."

Regina West

"Water Moving Around"

Judge's Comments: "Appreciating the looseness of the work. The textures and colors contribute to feeling of movement.  Overall creating an appealing and atmospheric representation of flowers, water"

Nan Wright

"Windswept"

Judge's Comments: "Really good job using those wet-on-wet techniques to create a kind of atmospheric quality. The reflective bits definitely add, changing as you walk past it. Gives the feeling of mood and atmosphere, wind as well. The interest lies in the nuances of textures. "