(click on the image to enlarge)
Cedarburg Cultural Center. IPhone 4S.
This past week (Thursday to be precise) I participated as a juror for the Port Washington leg of the 2014 Cedarburg Plein Air Competition, for which I was asked by the Cedarburg Artists Guild in order to judge almost 100 paintings, making a decision at the end of which 3 paintings (and painters) received a 3rd, 2nd and 1st place.
(click on the image to enlarge)
Cedarburg Cultural Center. IPhone 4S.
It was not an easy task I have to say, as the quality of work generated by the numerous participants, which ranged from amateurs to professionals was really rich. Having the town of Port Washington as central point for the work, it was interesting to see the many approaches to the town, specially when the weather conditions for so uneven last week as I witnessed when I drove there to check on it.
So, that being said, I have to repeat that this was not an easy task, but it was a really enjoyable one, as again, the quality of work was so good and varied. When it comes to make a decision, I choose 3 paintings as I was asked to, that not only had reflected the spirit of plein air, the conditions of the day and that they were spontaneous, but also that personally gave me a good sense of composition, color palette choice and that they were original in their approach to a town where common historical sites or points have been done over and over.
For that I came to a decision on these 3 paintings below, after almost 3 hours of deliberation, in which I contemplated many details beyond the paintings themselves as it was choice of framing (i.e_ a lot of paintings got killed by overpowering and distracting frames), the signature (i.e_ very subtle paintings with eye needle signatures). Anyhow, I will include here the phone taken photos of the 3 paintings I choose with a short description of why I choose those.
First Prize:
"Heavy Fog, Port Washington" by Brian Sindler. Oil on canvas on board.
This painting describes very well the atmosphere of that day, showing Port with all the feelings that is capable to evoke in those light conditions. It did offer a different view of the harbor (seen in the background) from a a particular point of view as it is the bluff, offering a well done sense of perspective. Also, the colors were really well chosen as they did for sure reflected the climate experienced during that very challenging morning. - This photograph was taken with my phone so please forgive the poor quality of it.
Second Prize:
"Rainy Rooftops" by Anthony Sell. Oil.
This painting not only I considered well done in its composition and execution, but also it gave me something that not other painting really gave me: a unique approach to Port, as it was the only one that touched the town's back alleys views. This is a subject that I considered so visually interesting but still under represented that to see finally a painting of it made my day.
Third Prize:
"View from Above" by Jenny Anderson. Oil.
This painting gave me the feeling of a very spontaneous piece. At first when I saw it from distance and looking from bottom to top, I thought of an abstract painting, like if the viewer was invited to take a walk through the trails simply looking a the tops of the trees, just to all of the sudden find the point of reference given by the lighthouse as a way to say, yes, we are on Port.
As I mentioned before, there was a LOT of really good pieces, and being a juror was not easy, but certainly it was a really enjoyable experience as I hope it was for the artists to participate as well.
F. Martín Morante.
