Standard Fine Art Division Judge – Peggy Immel
The works selected for this exhibition reflect an exceptional level of artistic achievement. I was struck by the overall quality and depth of talent, making the judging process both rewarding and challenging. There were numerous paintings deserving of recognition, and it is only the limitation of available awards preventing me acknowledging more of them.
My initial walkthroughs focused on identifying works with strong overall impact, those that immediately distinguished themselves in some fashion through, but not limited to, compelling use of color or values, inventive treatment of subject matter, technical strength, or a clear and engaging concept. These are works that catch one’s eye from across the room. Then, because some paintings are stylistically quiet, I revisited each media division a final time, looking closely to ensure that more subtle, nuanced works were fully considered. From this process, a group of particularly strong pieces emerged, and the final award recipients were selected from among them.
The honored works share a defining characteristic, a clear and distinctive artistic voice. Each painting conveys asense of intention and reveals something about the artist’s perspective. And each artist’s mark-making is thoughtfully employed to support their vision and concept. The level of technical execution is consistently high and demonstrates a deep understanding of compositional structure and the artist’s chosen medium.
Ultimately, these works succeed not only in their formal qualities, but because they communicate so effectively. They invite viewers into a fully realized visual experience, where the artist’s intent is evident and eloquently expressed.
Miniature Fine Art Division Judge – Ruth Andrews-Vreeland
What a thrill to be asked to judge the MasterWorks Miniatures exhibit! Choosing award winners is challenging because I’d like to give EVERY artist an award for their unique creativity, color-palette, or story-telling! Whenever I compare the most “eye-catching” paintings to one another, I find it’s a bit like favoring apples or oranges. There were definitely more paintings deserving of awards than there were available ribbons, and for me it came down to
subtle differences.
A famous quote says: “When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself.” Similarly, I find my own personal bias or “niche”, influences my art-judging decisions. Viewing a piece of art is like looking in a mirror — for each of us! We all see something different based on our own life experiences; we feel something different based on our own memories. So while I try hard to judge others’ art based on: composition, color/value-usage, technical skill, and creativity… also keeping in mind all the different categories… I have to say, I’m like every other art judge: I like what I like!
Congratulations to all who received an award — your artwork was stunning, and in many cases, “jaw-dropping”! For those who did not get an award, please know that your painting may be one of those I truly agonized over. What a beautiful show. I’m grateful and humbled to be a part of it!
Standard Fine Art Division Juror – Dave Cook
Overall the entries were very good, but the range of quality was wide as you might expect. The main difference between excellent work and ordinary work was the ability of some artists to incorporate technical excellence – basic principles of good design – composition, contrast, dominance, center of interest, repetition and movement, variety and unity. In addition the best paintings had a clear mood, message, or emotion that was expressed through the elements of design.
Outside these qualities are the more elusive characteristics of creativity and originality which are difficult to evaluate, but obvious when incorporated.
Standard Fine Art Division Juror – Annie Chirieleison, PSNM NMWS
If you want to climb Mt. Everest you must go through extensive training plus you need the proper clothing and climbing equipment to reach the summit. If you want to be a successful painter you must first learn to draw accurately. Drawing is the art of observation and measurement (proportions). Drawing is a skill that anyone can learn and, like anything else, it takes practice to become proficient.
An excellent resource is, “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain” by Betty Edwards. Just as you wouldn’t make it to the top of Mt. Everest without proper training and equipment, you won’t excel at painting without drawing skills.
As you are drawing and painting try to make it more like a poem and not an essay with facts and figures. When painting the landscape, whether from a photograph or on location, use what you see as a jumping off point. Use your design skills for a better composition. Move that tree and get rid of that ugly bush, leave out that dead log at the bottom of those lovely trees, wind that path and extend it if you need to for a better composition. It’s your painting and you are a co-creator in the universe.
Give yourself permission to fail. Not every painting is a masterpiece but every painting you complete will teach you something whether or not it’s a successful piece.
Any generation of an iPhone Pro will produce a better quality photograph than most expensive cameras. It’s easy to crop and you can view your painting in black and white mode to evaluate your value structure. The iPhone Pro has multiple uses and is a good investment.
As a juror for Masterworks what stood out the most was the lack of fundamental drawing skills and a lack of understanding values. Many of the paintings I considered to be a good start for an underpainting and were not finished pieces. You have all these tubes of paint and all these pastels but for some reason you are being stingy with color. Don’t be afraid of them. Have fun! Use that color! And for the record hands are not bigger than feet. Feet are the exact length of your forearm from elbow to wrist. That never changes.
Painting and drawing can hold your attention for a lifetime because there is always more to learn. So keep going. Don’t give up and eventually you will reach the top of the mountain.
Standard Fine Art Division Juror – P.K. Williams
We have a very talented art community! It was my pleasure to be a juror for this outstanding community. My overall impression is about 85% of the entrants were very knowledgeable in the technical use of their chosen medium. The elements of design, use of color and the execution of each was truly at a high level.
For each division I went through all the work first, without ranking each one. Some pieces are immediately stunning; technically beautiful, creative and unique.
Others lacked in either technical quality or imagination and are easy to spot. Some of them may be good paintings; however, if the image is poor and blurry it is hard to see what the real work looks like.
Artists, think about your subject matter. There was an overabundance of landscapes. Our New Mexico landscape is gorgeous! However, if you are going to enter a landscape it needs “something” to set it apart from the zillion other landscapes!
I am thrilled to see there will be two new awards this year: a Creativity Award and a Nonrepresentational Award! I hope that the level of abstract work improves once people are aware of the Nonrepresentational Award.