Closing Reception: Friday October 25, 4:30 – 6:30

I enjoyed being able to judge this show, open book. It had a nice variety of imaginative entries, from traditional, abstract, to three dimensional and jewelry. I enjoyed each piece. My selections of awards were as varied as the show.

First Place                                                                                                                                                 Tooth Fairy Fantasies #3, Sterling Silver, Grizzly Bear Tooth, Mokume-gane                             Paul Kerkhoven

First place was awarded for the tale of the Tooth Fairy Fantasies. I enjoyed the simple lines that pulled the design together, including delicate metals and an anatomical feature that made the viewer interested in the story behind the prior owner. The delicate design and the metal over the tooth added a nice splash of interest. Nice job!

 

 

 

Tale Of The Tooth Fairy Fantasies

 

Second Place                                                                                                                                      The Chapters Of My Mind, Acrylic Mixed Media                                                                              Susan Art

Second place went to this imaginative abstract. I feel this piece followed the theme well and each element seems to be a different book with its own story. The color was bright, but not overwhelming and the design led my eye through the piece evenly and efficiently.

 

 

 

 

Third Place                                                                                                                                              Bay Cove Forest, Courtmacsherry, Ireland, Watercolor                                                            Kris Peterson

Third place went to this beautiful path through the woods. Just enough detail without killing you with every blade of grass was very well managed. The color is bright and peaceful. The visual takes you right down the path wondering where you go next. The fun use of just off realistic color made the painting bright and fun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honorable Mention                                                                                                                        The Book Of Zen, Mixed Media                                                                                                          Judy Lyons Schneider

Honorable mention to this open book concept three dimensional. I like how well the theme was handled and each element makes an interesting view. I enjoy wondering what the artist was thinking with each element of the box.

 

 

 

 

Honorable Mention                                                                                                                              Black Elk Speaks (A Reference To The Book By Author John G. Neihardt)                  Mixed Media Collage, Dana Opalinski

Honorable Mention for this Native American interpretation. Again this piece draws you into a story that follows the theme. The design follows the quote that deals with dreams. It leaves the viewer wondering what the dream is all about opening, imaginative concepts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honorable Mention                                                                                                                              Jurassic World, Watercolor                                                                                                                        Ron Serfass

The final honorable mention goes to this ascending abstract. I enjoy the color combination of complementary hues with a nicely presentation frame. The image bends toward imaginative risings, which again follows the theme nicely.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

 

 

Juror

Donna Duke Morrison NWS, FWS, SWS

Donna is a native Floridian, born and raised in Bradenton. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Furman University in Greenville, SC. She lives and works in Tampa, Florida, teaching weekly classes, hosting workshops, making presentations and participating in juried competitions throughout the country. Donna is a signature member of numerous art societies, including the National Watercolor Society, The Southern Watercolor Society, the Florida Watercolor Society and regional and local groups. In 2017 she earned her Mastership in the Florida Suncoast Watercolor Society. She has served on the board of the Florida Watercolor Society for years as well as local societies. Donna has won numerous awards in state, regional and local watercolor societies, and was named as a top ten emerging national watercolorist to watch in Watercolor Artist’s Magazine. Her work has been featured in public and private collections as well as state and national magazines. Donna has been conducting workshops for many years throughout Florida. She enjoys working with artists at all skill levels and facilitating the learning that develops among artists. Her workshops include demonstrations, critiques and lots of individual support. Artists are encouraged to learn new techniques and experiment, expanding their current levels of understanding and becoming more comfortable developing and implementing principles of design in their paintings.

 

Kellogg Gallery

Founded in 1897 when women journalists were not permitted to join male-only professional organizations. The League became an organization for writers, artists and composers, giving them an avenue for recognition of their talents. With now over 1600 members in 81 branches, Sarasota Pen Women is a branch of the National League of American Pen Women. We are artists, authors, and composers.  The artists are a diverse group: painters in oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, mixed media, sculptors in various media, glass artist, etc.  We also have artists who illustrate books authored by some of our writers.  Members work in landscape, still life, figurative and collage.