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Ask Albert

Albert Handell · Jun 27, 2022 · 3 Comments

As a sought-after workshop instructor, Albert Handell OPAM is accustomed to answering student’s questions. For this week’s blog, we share his response to two commonly asked questions: 

Question: Do you judge art shows, and if so, how do you select the top winning piece, “Best of Show”?

Yes, I have judged numerous exhibitions. 

I have found that some exhibitions have categories and some do not.  The exhibitions that have categories are usually divided by either subject matter, (i.e. landscapes, portraits, still lives and abstract etc.) or by paint media (i.e. Oils, Pastels, Water Colors, etc.). 

Prize money is usually broken down so that the winner of Best of Show receives the largest amount, for example, $1,500. The First Place winner in each category would then get $1,000, Second Place winners get $500, Third Place winner gets $250 and so on. 

There is Beauty at Every Stage by Albert Handell OPAM
24” x 30” – Oil
First Place at an annual New Mexico statewide exhibition

To pick the best of show for the exhibition, I simply take the first place I’ve selected in each category, move them near each other so I can compare them side-by-side, and decide which one is the strongest. The piece I select becomes Best of Show and the artwork below it in that category moves up one prize (i.e. Second Place becomes First Place, etc.)

Then there is the type of exhibition where artwork of all different mediums and subject matter is mixed together, and not broken down into categories.  Selecting the best of show for this type of exhibition is more difficult. I take the first, second and third place artworks and really scrutinize them before selecting one to be Best of Show. That is how I do it.

I have been on both sides of exhibitions in my life, sometimes as the participant and other times as the judge.  This oil painting below, Woods Interior, Point Lobos, was sent to an OPA exhibition where the largest work could not be more than 16” x 20.” It received Best of Show with a cash award of $3,500. Jeanine and I celebrated that evening!

I hope this insight into judging is helpful.

Woods Interior, Point Lobos by Albert Handell OPAM
16” x 20” – Oil
Best of Show, OPA Small Painting Regions Exhibition 2016

QUESTION: Is framing important? What are your thoughts about framing?

Yes, framing is very important. 

To keep the answer to this question simple, for myself when I frame my small oils, I like to use a floater frame. It pains me to lose a half inch all-around my small painting because of the inside lip (or “rabbit”) of standard frames. It might cost more to frame the oil using a floater frame, but I feel better doing so.

In general, the framing should complement the painting!

You don’t want any part of the frame to compete or distract from the painting, (for example, you don’t want the light linen mats of the frame to stand out more than the whites of the painting.)

If the frame competes with the painting, it’s not a good frame. 

Here are some examples of my framing choices:

At Point Lobos (China Cove) by Albert Handell OPAM
12” x 16” – Oil

This oil is basically a painting about the weight of rocks.

It started out as a study for a larger oil. I felt it stood on its own merits so I decided to frame it. Since I considered it a “tight” subject matter painting, I decided to float it with a narrow black backing.

The piece Along the Taos Ski Basin Road (below) is a horizontal painting. I felt it needed a wider floater frame.

Along the Taos Ski Basin Road by Albert Handell OPAM
12” x 20” – Oil

I hope these two examples of framing give you some good food for thought.

Sincerely,
Albert

Oil Painting

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rosemary Pergolizzi says

    June 27, 2022 at 8:41 am

    I was hoping he would explain why he selected pieces to work awards not how he chose who won Best of Show.

    Reply
  2. Laura Crosby says

    June 27, 2022 at 9:34 am

    Alberts comments and beautiful examples are great. Please keep me in the loop if you continue this blog. I have been fortunate enough to have attended Mr. Handel’s workshop a couple of years ago, and own several of his books. His insights are always fresh and spiced with years of experience. I have so much respect for his contribution to the art world.

    Reply
  3. joanne says

    January 5, 2023 at 12:55 pm

    It may hae taken me a long time to read this article, “two points” but your words resonated in me… I would love to take a workshop with you – where do you do those? How much? I need some inspiration now (post covid time)…Thank you for your blog – doesn’t mean youre smarter han I, just I understand you.

    Reply

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Snapshot of the Author

Albert Handell
Albert Handell OPAM lives and paints in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He exhibits and teaches nationally and internationally. Since his return from Europe (1961-1965), he has had annual one-man shows, four museum one-man exhibits, and has been featured in numerous articles and appeared on many covers.. He is often requested to judge national exhibitions such as Oil Painters of America (OPA), The American Impressionists Society (AIS), and numerous Pastel Societies throughout the country. His paintings are in numerous private and public and museum collections.
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