August Art For Homeschool Art Show Results

I am very excited to announce the results of the August art show! The theme of the show is “Summer”. We were fortunate to have the show judged by Russell Cushman, artist, historian, muralist, blogger, and community leader. He also happens to be a good friend of mine.

I hope that you will take some time to go see some of Russell’s art work at his website. Click here. You can also read articles by Russell at the Navasota Current.  Russell was impressed with the art work. He said that it was very difficult to choose the winners. He also said that good art evokes a feeling. The winning work in the show did just that. As I announce the winners, I will also be including some comments made by the judge about the art work.

Congratulations to the award winners! Dick Blick Art Materials has generously donated $10 gift certificates for the first place winners in the children age groups. If you won 1st place, you can expect an email from me in the next few days asking for your mailing address.

5 – 8 years old:

First Place:

Catching Fireflies - Melody - 8 yrs.

Judge’s Comment: The expression of the whole piece is compelling and beautiful and unified in a pure state of euphoria.

Second Place:

A Day at the Beach - Melody - 8 yrs.

Judge’s Comment: The art work shows a vulnerability and excitement of being a girl on the beach, in a bathing suit, and in the sun about to be toast. Love the exploration of color.

9 – 13 Years Old:

1st Place:

My Sister Swims - The Robot - 10 yrs.

Judge’s Comment: Sometimes a photo captures something so precious and fleeting that you know a hundred paintings would never match it. Here a brother or sister has caught that desperate “I’m swimming and loving it while I struggle to breath and avoid water from shooting up my nose” look.  Digital cameras have made everyone a decent photographer, and all that is left is timing and the use of that seeing eye, which this artist, at least for a moment, had.

Second Place:

Deer - Jake - 9 yrs.

Judge’s Comment: Jake has handled his watercolors nicely, and done a very nice rendering of this deer’s head. Sometimes, awkward angles are the most interesting, if we trust our eyes. It is hard but necessary to paint what we see, NOT WHAT WE THINK. He is truly learning to study his subject, and this will lead to great things.

Homeschool Parents:

1st Place:

Bariloche - Andrea

Judge’s Comments: Awesome use of photography to create abstract images made of common everyday scenes, that one moment are confusing, and the next moment are multi-layered high definition planes of reality. The juxtaposition of the real next to the reflected is wonderful, as you look into the reflection and follow underwater shapes through the reflection. Makes me want to break into a haiku poem. 

2nd Place:

Boys at the Lake - Eva

Judges’ Comments: Wonderfully manipulated into this classic toned image that speaks of those timeless summer days in the woods, when boys make believe they are men, and learn bad words and how to start fires and begin to sharpen their character, for better or for worse. Either way, they are fun days, and this work reflects that spirit. Importantly, it does not look so posed, but has a natural chaos to it.

The judge wanted to recognize some more of the work in the show. He asked that I give Honorable Mentions to the following work:

Fruits of Summer - Mackenzie - 9 yrs.

Stuffed for Summer - Mackenzie - 9 yrs.

Lady Liberty - Lara

Plumeria - Lara

Octopus at the Beach - Ignacio

I also want to announce the winner of the People’s Choice Award. This award goes to the artwork with the most votes through comments of viewers. I appreciate everyone that took the time to voice their opinion. The award goes to a watercolor done by 9 year old Jake DeHaven. His painting “The Deer” got the most votes. Congratulations, Jake!

Deer - Jake - 9 yrs.

I want to thank everyone involved with the show. Thank you, artists, for giving us the opportunity to see your wonderful artwork. Also, a big “Thank You!” to Russell Cushman for taking time out of your busy schedule to judge the show and share your comments.

If you did not win an award, I hope that you will not be discouraged. The show could have been judged by 5 different judges with 5 different results. Please continue making art and participating.  You can upload artwork to the Art For Homeschool Flickr Group anytime you would like to. The next art show deadline is November 1. The theme is “America the Beautiful”.