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​Art Awards​

WINNERS IN THE FALL 2020 EXHIBITION AT MOBILE ARTS COUNCIL

Bruckmann Best of Show: JoAnn Cox, Birth Telegram
2nd - Watercolor Society of Alabama: Ben Kaiser, Battleground
3rd – WGAS: Corky Goldman, Patriarch
WGAS Merit: Amanda Youngblood, All That’s Left
WGAS Merit: Lynda Smith Touart, Rambutan
CP Landry Merit Award for Outstanding Use of Color: Melissa M Root, Waiting Room Lesson


AWARD WINNERS IN SPRING 2018 SHOW

Best of Show - Mary Elizabeth Kimbrough
Best Aqua - Barbara Rettig
Best Graphic - Beverly Grimes
Ashland - Marcy Matherne
Southern Art and Framing - K.S. Galey
Alabama Art Supply - Deborah Guy
Judges Choice - Lynda Smith Touart
Denise Inge Memorial – Satomi Atelier



Fall Exhibition at Cathedral Square Gallery with Judge's Comments
 
 Best of Show: Lynda Smith Touart
“powerful composition, unusual angle / view, masterful control of medium, & balance of the abstract with the representational”
Best Aqua Media: Barbara Rettig
“masterful on all levels, control of medium, use of color & light & pattern, the angle of view although lookling down also seems to be hanging on a wall ix intriguing & calls me back over & over”
Best Graphic: Kate Seawell
“subtle & powerful, lyrical left to right movement countered with strong verticals & extreme dualities that keep our attention & sensitive use of a limited palette”
Southern Art and Framing Award: Martha Ann Rowan
“I was drawn to that ambiguity of the figure. It speaks of a dreamy quality that would evaporite if not for the strategic use of the solid hard edge orange rectangle”
Alabama Art Supply Award: Barbara Cline 
“Intriguing pattern & movement emerging / spiraling out of the black – they have a botanical feel & seem to pull you in & the[sic] push back out”
Ashland Gallery Award: Marcy Matherne
“this piece seems to breath[sic] / pulse although completely defined hard edge shapes the repetition makes the flower seem like is is folding & unfolding – masterful use of the medium”
Honorable Mention: Satomi Kamei
“the emphasis is right where it needs to be on the girls longing expression Nice handling of the space & images around understated”
Honorable Mention: Lydia Host
“Nice placement & movement of the figure pushing out of/ against her space”
Denise Inge Memorial People's Choice Award:  Clare King

  



2017 SPRING EXHIBITION  AT ESAC

Best of Show, Ruth S. Bruckmann Memorial Award
Corky Goldman: Colors of Spring

Best Aqua Media
Barbara Rettig: Intermission

Best Graphic Media
Gail Bramer: Spring Snow Melt

Members’ Choice Denise Inge Memorial Award
Lynda Smith Touart: Bonus

Ashland Gallery Leila Hollowell Memorial Award
Libby McCawley: New Orleans

Southern Art & Framing Award
Lynda Smith Touart: Man of the Earth

Alabama Art Supply Award
Susie Wallace: White Wine in Waiting

Honorable Mention Award
Satomi Kamei: Saukt Gilgen, Austria

Judge’s Merit Award
Marie Nickerson: Light on My Shoulder


Ashland 2016 Fall Exhibition

Best in Show
Lynda Smith Touart: Barnacles
Loved the warm colors and illusion of depth through the crisp edges and mysterious dark spaces.  The golden interiors pulled me in.  The art itself is strong. Would have liked to see the matte-ing more crisp and pencil lines gone.  Wide matte good.

Best Graphic
Kate Seawell: Orange Lilly
Could look at the nuances of this pieces for a very long time. Their crisp edges, texture and bleed through were captivating. The wallpaper assembly added to the interest.  Found the cut outs somewhat distracting. Would have preferred torn edges to keep with texture of piece.  Orange a good color call.

Best Aqua Media
Suzie Wallace: Iris
Traditionally excellent watercolor technique. Interplay of warms and cools keep the viewer entertained and travelling through space.  Pleasing.

Ashland GalleryAward
Satomi Kamei: Afternoon in the Park
Appreciated the atmospheric touches and subtle color changes.  Could recognize a style and also #29 was pleasing


Alabama Art Award
Lynne Weeks: Winter at the Quarry
Calligraphic brush strokes and the delicious color of the big rocks interplaying with the window glaze won me over. A mostly cool painting is a rarity.

Southern Art and Framing Award
Kathy Friedline: Fox Went out on a Snowy Night
The graphic technique was bold, but created an intimate mood.  The complimentary color scheme bounced my view from the fox through the trees.

Adele Fay, Frederick Marchman, Coco Hays Memorial Award
Frances Ashcraft: Storm Clouds
Bold and thick application of color and addition of ink lines gave these watercolors a graphic print feel.

Members’ Choice
Lynne Weeks: Benjamin’s Beach

Additional Judge's Comments:
#26: Meticulous brush work in fur and field and a personality in the dog make this work a close call for award.
#47: Yupo is a difficult choice for portraits. Enjoyed the color scheme and expressions in this. Felt girl on left was rendered stronger than right.
#43: Enjoyed their interplay of pencil lines, negative and positive painting.
#45: Enjoyable detailed etching, simplicity of foreground leading into complicated background.
#16 Variety of color wall and ground elevate this café sketch.




2016 Spring Exhibition at Innova Arts Awards and Judge’s Comments

​​Best of Show Ruth Bruckmann Memorial Award  
Veronica Galey: McClaine
Comments: Beautiful drawing – I love the fact that you wonder what she is thinking, mysterious

WGAS Best Aqua Media 
Satomi Kamei: Route 25 to 43, AL
Comments: Excellently done – the sense of space, wonderful, as if I can step into the work

WGAS Best Graphic Arts
Lynda Smith Touart: Backstroke
Comments: Excellent, the abstract qualities of a figure moving in water

Ashland Gallery Award
Monique McFarland: Quite Glassy
Comments: Well done watercolor – I enjoy the reflections as I can get lost and discover new things.

Southern Art and Framing Award
Kate Seawell: Silver to Aqua Lilies 
Comments: Enjoy the abstract qualities of the irises, which is created by the juxtaposition of the three panels – love the movement

Alabama Art Supply Award 
Kathy Friedline: Let Me Eat Catfood
Comments: Love woodblock as it reminds me of the Japanese style of the 19th century

Honorable Mention
Conroy Hudlow: Seated Figure
Comments: An honest, straightforward depiction, evocative

Judge's Merit Award
Mary Rodning: Heading Home
Comments: I like the movement of the birds in relation to the tree branches, which allows more to the imagination  
    
Members’ Choice 
Evonne Bilbo: Three Sister​s


2015 Fall Exhibition at Mobile Arts Council Awards and Judge’s Comments

BEST OF SHOW 
Lynda Smith Touart: Sunset
Comments: Great contrast – “pops”

WGAS BEST AQUA MEDIA AWARD 
Judy Aronson: Williams Pears
Comments: Great use of light

WGAS BEST GRAPHIC MEDIA AWARD
Carolyn Greene: Cathedral at Dusk, en plein air
Comments: Great use of texture in the work

ASHLAND GALLERY LEILA HOLLOWELL MEMORIAL AWARD 
Martha Ann Rowan: Reflection
Comments: Makes me feel calm and at peace

MAURINE SHORKEY MEMORIAL AWARD 
Satomi Kamei: At the Wharf
Comments: Great composition

ALABAMA ART SUPPLY AWARD 
Lynda Smith Touart: Palm de Terre 
Comments: Photo realistic

SOUTHERN ART AND FRAMING AWARD
Kate Seawell: Cadmium Orange
Comments: Good choice of colors

HONORABLE MENTION AWARD 
V.B. “Corky” Goldman: Highlands Snowfall

JUDGE'S MERIT AWARD 
Penny Lewis: Curious Cows


Awards
 with Judge's Comments
Spring 2015 - Eastern Shore Art Center


BEST OF SHOW - RUTH S. BRUCKMANN AWARD
Lydia Host: Coffee & Sympathy
Comments: Lots of emotion, good depth, good drawing, hands and faces drawn well, good paint application

WGAS BEST AQUA MEDIA AWARD 
Joanne Brandt: Nellie & Turkish Rug
Comments: Really different, makes you want to look at it more, draws you into the painting

WGAS BEST GRAPHIC MEDIA AWARD
Veronica Galey: Jackson
Comments: So much emotion

ASHLAND GALLERY LEILA HOLLOWELL MEMORIAL AWARD 
Barbara Rettig: She’s Happy Now
Comments: Drawn very well, loved the neutral coloring

MAURINE SHORKEY MEMORIAL AWARD 
Janet H. Hinton: Gipsy
Comments: Really like the balanced design

ALABAMA ART SUPPLY AWARD 
Derald Eastman: Twilight Rio Maggiore
Comments: Good drawing, depth and color

SOUTHERN ART AND FRAMING AWARD
Denise Inge: Boots
Comments: Good drawing, love the softness

PAGE AND PALETTE AWARD 
Suzanne Wright: Marble Players
Comments: Good drawing, good colors

HONORABLE MENTION AWARD 
Satomi Kamei: Afternoon at the City
Comments: Very good drawing, excellent depth

JUDGE'S MERIT AWARD 
Karen Spaulding: Breeze
Comments: Good design, directional orientation, 3 spatial divisions, each different movements

MEMBERS CHOICE 
Jane Shaw: Early Morning Roses

Winners in the Fall 2014 Exhibition
Urban Emporium


Best of Show: Lynda Smith Touart, Still Waters
[Comment: Artist is obviously very experienced and has mastered the medium. Best in ANY show!]


Best Aqua Media: Barbara Rettig, Feeling Crabby
[Comment: Great composition and application]


WGAS Best Graphic Arts: Janet Hinton, Coggs Hill Farm  
[Comment: Great atmosphere and execution]


Downtown Mobile Alliance Award: Joyce Shields, Into the Light

Ashland Gallery Leila Hollowell Memorial Award: Barbara Rettig, Summer in the Market: Watermelons

Southern Art and Framing Award: Janet Hinton, Fort Gaines

Alabama Art Supply Award: Monique McFarland, Tarnished Reflections          

Honorable Mention Award:  Claire King, Coming Home

Honorable Mention Award: Lynda Smith Touart, All Chairs on Deck

Judge's Merit Award: Satomi Kamei, Autumn Premonition



[Judge Grady Byrd’s comment: Real good show, watercolor hard to judge, so many good. …]


Spring 2014 Exhibition
Daphne Art Center
Judge’s Comments


BEST OF SHOW -  Founders Award -  Marie Nickerson for Where Do I Go From Here?
 Great design, control of value, ethereal quality. 

WGAS BEST AQUA MEDIA - Marilyn Ammons for Granny’s Bowl with Fruit
Maintains freshness.

BEST GRAPHIC ARTS - Barbara T. Thomas for Golden Girl
Well done, looks like real person

MARIAN STOHRER MEMORIAL AWARD - Mary E. Rodning for restless night…
Real good contrast, crisp.

ALABAMA ART SUPPLY AWARD - Kate Seawell for Day, Twilight, Rain
Like all pattern design.

SOUTHERN ART & FRAMING AWARD - Jo Patton for Buoys and Gulls
Good design theory.

MERIT AWARD - Lyons Share Gallery - Satomi Kamei for Silent Beach
Captures mood.

NO. 1 HONORABLE MENTION AWARD - Gail Bramer for Storm Clouds
Dreamlike, economy of detail.

NO. 2 HONORABLE MENTION AWARD - Ann Pearce for Contemplation of Color
Abstract paint, good line quality.

Terry Cherry
Judge


Watercolor & Graphic Arts Society of Mobile Fall 2013 Exhibition
Mobile Arts Council, Judge’s Comments
BEST OF SHOW – Ruth S. Bruckmann Memorial Award - $500
V. B. “Corky” Goldman for Singing in the Rain
Captures the fun of the moment in the rendering of the little girls’ expressions. And looks WET.

BEST AQUA MEDIA – David McCann, Rev. Robert Moore McCown, S. J., Michael Ivy Memorial Award (donated by Maurine Shorkey) - $200
Ernest Kirkland for Octopus Stump
Difficult subject made beautiful. Color choices work well, while the value changes are carefully controlled.

BEST GRAPHIC ARTS – Hazel Harris Smith Memorial Award - $200
Phyllis J. Henson for Fred’s Mule
Head in interesting gesture, pencil strokes develop strong feel for the texture of the animals hide. Well-placed value scheme.

GEORGE DUBINA MEMORIAL AWARD - $100
Karen D. McGahagin for Never Too Young
Warm and sentimental subject well-handled. Gives good vibes.

SOUTHERN ART & FRAMING AWARD - $100
JoAnn Cox for Sitting Samurai
Strong focus. Nice color evokes images.

ALABAMA ART SUPPLY AWARD - $100
V.B. “Corky” Goldman for Dog of My Heart
Very carefully rendered. Total command of the medium. Generates a very warm response.

HONORABLE MENTION AWARD - $50
Joanne Brandt for Robertsdale Rodeo Steer
Good placement on sheet. Loose but convincing. The colors work beautifully.

HONORABLE MENTION AWARD - $50
Lynda Smith Touart for Cogon in Winter
A careful labor with a great result. A few color surprises are worth looking for.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS FROM THE JUDGE: A great show. It does Mobile area artists proud. That made the judging difficult. I spent time evaluating each entry to be sure I understood the artist's intent, and whether it was a success in the endeavor. I looked for balance in composition, color and values and obvious professional handling of the media.
I thoroughly enjoyed the exercise and I am grateful for being given the opportunity.
Richard Millman




Fall 2013 Members' Exhibition 
at Eastern Shore Art Center


Best of Show 
Barbara T. Thomas  "Vanitas I"  Conte Crayon on Paper

Best Aqua Media 
Carole Hagerman "Coastal View" Aqua Media on Paper

Best Graphic Arts
Kathy Friedline "The Old Red Fox and Seven Squirrels" Pen & Ink, w/ Watercolor

Southern Art & Framing Award 
Jo Patton "Little Lamb" Watercolor Mixed Media

Alabama Art Supply Award
Judy Aronson "Maritima" Watercolor on Paper


Lyons Share Award
Jo Patton "Little Lamb" Watercolor Mixed Media


Honorable Mention Awards 
Conroy Hudlow "Self Portrait 2012" Charcoal/Colored Pencil on Paper
Lynda Smith Touart "Life" Color Pencil on Stonehenge

Judge's Merit Awards
Joanne Brandt "Blount County Goats" Watercolor on Yupo Paper
Frances Ashcraft "Peppers" Watercolor on Paper


Members' Choice Award
Marie Nickerson "Glory" Water Media on Paper

Fall 2012 Members' Exhibition at USA Library
Awards with Judge's Comments

WGAS Best of  Show ($500):
Ernest Kirkland    “Contemplation”    Graphite on Paper/2012
“Great use of light, medium and dark values!  Excellent drawing skills.  Well done!”

Ruth Bruckmann Best Aqua Media ($200):
Frances M. Ashcraft    “Plying the Tombigbee”   Watercolor on Paper/2012
“The boat and barges are sitting correctly in the water and the water is convincing.  Nice variety of outside edges and good values.”

WGAS Best Graphic Arts ($200):
Kate Seawell     “Cadmium Red”    Monotype on Paper/2011
“Nice design with variety of shapes and outside edges.”


Alabama Art Supply Award ($100 Gift Certificate):
Joanne Brandt   “Angelo the Bull, Baldwin Co. Cow No. 5”    Watercolor on Yupo/2012
“Excellent!  Nice use of drawing and color!”

Southern Art & Framing Award ($100 Gift Certificate):
Barbara Cline   “Empty Nest”   Pen & Ink w/ Watercolor on Paper/2012
“Nice use of pointalism and drawing skills.  I like the little surprise in the nest.”

Honorable Mention Award ($50):
Karen McGahagin   “Buckshot, Button & Creola”   Watercolor on Paper/2012
“Nice use of light, medium and dark values and I like the variety of outside edges.  Has good control of the medium.”

Honorable Mention Award ($50):
Marcy Matherne   “Snow Bound”   Acrylic on Watercolor Board/2012
“I love the placement of the wagon and the placement of spokes and twigs.  Nicely executed.”

Members' Choice Award ($100):
Lynda Smith Touart  “Caribe”   Color Pencil on Stonehenge

Awards in the Members' Exhibition at Mobile Arts Council June 2012

Best of Show:  Phyllis J. Henson, "Little Big Mountain", Watercolor on Paper

Best Aqua Media:  Allan Butt, "Along the Silk Road - A Farm", Watercolor on Paper

Best Graphic Arts:  Lynda Smith Touart, "Cacti Oh Myyy", Color Pencil on Paper

Bea Tucker Memorial Award:  Frances M. Ashcraft, "Days End", Watercolor on Paper

Southern Art & Framing Award:  Charmaine Neylon, "Butterfly, Butterfly, Come Play with Me", Ink on Paper

Alabama Art Supply Award:  V.B. Goldman, "Swiss Window Flora", Watercolor on Paper

Honorable Mention Award:  Clare King, "Beignets at Cafe du Monde", Watercolor on Paper

Honorable Mention Award:  Loran Chavez, "Scatter!", Watercolor on Paper

Members’ Choice: Frances Ashcraft, “Step Sittin”, Watercolor on Paper  

Awards in the Members’ Juried Exhibition at ESAC 2011 (Judge’s comments in italics)

Members’ Choice:   Jo Patton,  “Wet Feet II”, Watercolor on Paper
Honorable Mention I:  Frances Neumann, “Read To Me”, Watercolor on Paper (Love the composition.  Shows an ability to organize subjects into a really interesting composition.  Makes me smile and it is beautifully done.)

Honorable Mention II:  Derald Eastman, “Sailors Beware”, Acrylic on Paper (There is so much emotion in this painting.  The Impressionist style lends itself to make the viewer feel the impact of the subject matter.  Good job.)

Alabama Art Supply Award:  Joyce Shields, “Together II”, Watercolor on Paper (I loved this painting.  It is creative and outside the box.  Delightful and fun.)

Jean Zaremba Memorial Award:  Susie Wallace, “Croton”, Colored Pencil on Paper (Just Beautiful!  Cannot help but admire the detail.  Great job on composition and execution.)



Lyons Share Custom Frames and Gallery Award:  William C. Morris, "Backside of a Rough Ride", Transparent Watercolor on Paper (Beautiful job.  The strength is in the draftsmanship and color.  Technically superior.)

Southern Art and Framing Award:  Peggy Lawrence, “Arbori Vitae”, Watercolor & Acrylic on Paper (This painting immediately attracts attention.  The use of the yellows/oranges brings excellent contrast and makes the painting very interesting and appealing.)

WGAS Best Graphic Arts Award:  Kate Seawell, “Ink Dream”, Block Ink/India Ink/Mixed Media on Paper (Non-representational is often the hardest.  Nice Job of both composition and color.  Shows a real creative approach to the piece.)

Ruth S. Bruckmann Memorial Award for Best Aqua Media:  Allan Butt, “The Green Roof”, Watercolor on Paper (The strength of this painting is in color selection.  Interesting composition due to the twist of perspective.  Very nice!)

WGAS Best of Show Award:  Lynda Smith Touart, “Creping Up”, Color Pencil on Paper (Beautiful composition and handling of medium.  A real winner.)

General comments:
“Jurying this show was not easy.  I am so impressed with the variety of work as well as with the quality of so many pieces.
          Paula Payne, Judge/Juror

Juror’s Comments from the Shared Expressions Exhibition 2011  (Judge’s comments in italics) 

Allan Butt, “Colored Glass”, Watercolor on Paper, (“Bright colors, nice composition and good reflections; comes together to create a very good piece.”)

Lynda Smith Touart, “Shore Thing”, Color Pencil on BFK, (“A complicated painting which was executed with precision; Use of color for separation was perfect for this painting.”)

Peggy Lawrence, “Believe”, Acrylic on Paper, (“Color was used for the viewer’s eye to travel directly to the subject.”)

Satomi Kamei, “At the Pub”, Watercolor on Paper, (“Light directs the eye to the subject in this painting.  Well executed.”)

General Comments:   “This show has many different styles and techniques.  The use of color and light are well used to create these paintings.  The many subjects selected by the artists exhibit varied interests.  A good show with many talented artists.”
                Carol Creel, Juror 
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