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Events

2014 Summer Online Showcase Winners

Oil Painters of America · Sep 30, 2014 · Leave a Comment

The OPA Summer 2014 Online Showcase was held from June 1 – August 15, 2014, open to Associate members only and awarding $5,000 in cash awards. The Online Showcase runs three times each year and is completely digital competition held at www.opaonlineshowcase.com for only $14 per entry, with no limit to the number of entries allowed.

These award comments are thanks to our Summer Online Showcase judge, OPA Signature member Bryce Liston OPA.

The Winter 2014 Online Showcase runs from October 1 – December 15, 2014 and is open to OPA Associate and Signature members. Enter Today!

This was a particularly difficult show to judge because there were so many strong pieces. There were a lot more paintings that deserved awards among the entries, but as is always the case, I had to narrow it down to fewer pieces than I would have liked to.  I like judging art shows. I really enjoy seeing all the different styles, approaches and subject matter. But when you have to start narrowing it down to the award winners it gets very difficult very quickly.

Bryce Liston OPA

Two ballerina girls Telling secrets
“Sharing Secrets”

by Anna Bain

20″ x 16″ Oil

First Place Anna Bain “Sharing Secrets”
I knew this was an award winner the first time I saw it. What a beautiful painting! It has a straightforward, simple and well balanced composition along with two impeccably well-drawn figures. I love those two faces, and the hands, structurally correct yet not at all distracting from the faces. The artist has employed great restraint and control over edges, subduing and letting them go where they’re not needed. This painting also has a strong use of value massing which really helps draw your eye to the center of interest. I love the subdued color palette and controlled color.
Cat Sitting on a chair
“Wishing”

by Anne Blair Brown

16″ x 16″ Oil

Second Place Anne Blair Brown “Wishing”
Again, this painting has a clear center of interest. My eye was completely controlled by the artist here. Every object was painted to a subordinate degree to support the composition. Also I love the paint application; I love the brushwork; loose but smartly applied. The artist is clearly seeing what’s going on under the loose brushwork without compromising the drawing and the perspective. The values are well massed and controlled and that, along with a great sense of warm sunlight, helps to tie the painting together.
Naked woman from behind
“La Vespertina”

by Charles Young Walls

20″ x 16″ Oil

Third Place Charles Young Walls “La Vespertina”
Beyond the wonderfully straightforward and strong composition and edge control, this painting has great color harmony. I love the way the artist kept all those flesh colors tied to the background and then brought in just a little warmth to really make the figure pop off the canvas. I judge figures on a higher level than most everything else. They have to be “In Drawing”. The draftsmanship has to be strong. This figure has such a superb sense of draftsmanship. The anatomy is solid and the figure has a great gesture. Even beyond that, the figure has a feeling of movement. It’s not stiff and posed and seems as if might move at any moment.
A hawk about to fly out of its nest
“Taking Flight”

by Jason Jackson

24″ x 30″ Oil

Honorable Mention Jason Jackson “Taking Flight”
This painting read very well when I viewed it as a thumbnail and it continued to hold up as I looked at it in a larger format. It has a strong sense of light and dark and they’re well grouped together. The feathers on the wings could have easily gotten out of control, but I love how the artist subdued detail in the shadow. It makes the feathers read perfectly.
Millitary Man
“Semper Fi”

by Patrick Meehan

16″ x 12″ Oil

Honorable Mention Patrick Meehan “Semper Fi”
I kept coming back to this painting. The artist has created a very interesting piece by subduing the color with a monochromatic approach. On top of that, I can easily break this piece down into three values. So the artist has reined in both color and value, making the overall shapes and brushwork stand out. A great example of controlling some of your elements to make others shine. Well done.
An old man looking out a window longingly
“Portrait of Nat Benjamin, boat builder & designer”

by Elizabeth Whelan

30″ x 24″ Oil

Honorable Mention Elizabeth Whelan “Portrait of Nat Benjamin, boat builder & designer”
There’s a lot going on here but it’s all kept in a good sense of order. It’s well designed and technically very well done. I believe it tells a lot about this individual and his life. The light coming in through the window really unites all of the elements in the painting. The harmonious colors and strong value massing makes this one a winner.
Dog Looking up
“Wanna go for a walk?”

by E Melinda Morrison

16″ x 9″ Oil

Honorable Mention E Melinda Morrison “Wanna go for a walk?”
This is a great example of thinking outside the box. It’s very original and I love that perspective. I also enjoy the use of that one streak of light balancing out all of the soft blue tones in the rest of the painting. Another example of a superb use of edges. See how the dog just blends right into the carpet? Fantastic! Oh and what a great dog face, don’t you just love those eyes?
Buckets stacked up
“Maryland Crab Shed”

by Mark Boedges

14″ x 20″ Oil

Honorable Mention Mark Boedges “Maryland Crab Shed”
Strong design and intriguing paint handling. I enjoy the open dry strokes allowing the underpainting to come through. That warm yellow light coming from behind really sets off the soft blues and violets that unite all of the foreground elements.
Girl in the shadows on a ladder
“Exploring the Basement”

by Stephanie Deshpande

30″ x 24″ Oil

Honorable Mention Stephanie Deshpande “Exploring the Basement”
Mood, mood and more mood.  I love it! Such a great use of lighting. A wonderful sense of atmosphere and great value massing. I love the use of thick impasto on the dress. It contrasts great with all of the simple subdued shadow colors.
Tree in a field
“Hill Country Celebrity”

by Jimmy Longacre

11″ x 14″ Oil

Honorable Mention Jimmy Longacre “Hill Country Celebrity”
I love the warm and cool colors in this painting. I can feel the warmth on my face. I feel like I’m right there where it was painted. The beautiful cool violets in the shadows really make the warm light bathe and harmonize the entire painting. I also appreciate the way the artist used thick impasto to paint into the brush in the foreground. Very well done!
River running through trees
“Hidden in the Woods”

by Deborah Tilby

16″ x 20″ Oil

Honorable Mention Deborah Tilby “Hidden in the Woods”
This painting has great design and a strong sense of light. The color palette is very controlled and limited, giving the painting harmony. Rushing water can be so hard to paint and so easy to over paint, but this artist has done a superb job in keeping it simple and not over worked. I love all the subtle color in the water. I could look at this one all day long.
Portrait of a man with a beard with red behind him
“Valentino”

by Suzie Baker

20″ x 16″ Oil

Honorable Mention Suzie Baker “Valentino”
Again, another portrait that is solid and well-drawn. This painting has a lot of energy, it’s bold and strong along with fresh and energetic brushwork. Everything is set up to take you right into the center of interest, which is that wonderfully painted eye. Notice how subdued the hand is, it fits right into its value range without jumping out. Great job!
Dark skinned woman with hooped earrings
“Jessica”

by Ann Kraft Walker

13″ x 10″ Oil

Honorable Mention Ann Kraft Walker “Jessica”
This painting is so well drawn and sculptural, it has a solid 3-dimentional feeling. It’s a portrait, yet maybe not. I mean I feel like there is more here than just a portrait of someone. It made me want to look beyond the literal.  I also love the way the artist has simplified and changed the hair as it moves away from the face. Wonderful use of opaque vs transparent, not to mention wonderful edges. Great paint handling.

2014 National Juried Exhibition Photos

Oil Painters of America · Jun 30, 2014 · Leave a Comment

Below are photos from Oil Painters of America’s Twenty-third Annual National Exhibition, which was held at The Bennington Center for the Arts in Bennington, Vermont.

To see all photos taken at the 2014 National Exhibition, click here.

OPA 2013 Eastern Regional Exhibition Juror Comments

Nancy Howe · Apr 7, 2014 · Leave a Comment

In anticipation of OPA’s upcoming 2014 Eastern Regional Exhibition, we’re presenting juror comments from last year’s exhibition. Nancy Howe OPAM, juror for the 2013 Eastern Regional Exhibition, was kind enough to offer detailed notes on the paintings she selected. Enjoy!
Associate/Signature Division
"Gaze" by Mary Qian
“Gaze” by Mary Qian

Gold Medal Mary Qian“Gaze”

This painting has strong composition, good technical execution, and emotional content. The composition has a lovely rhythm of repeating curves in the figure, and the lines of the composition direct the eye to the face that is the focal point and central to the emotional success of the painting. This focal area is further accentuated by the beautiful skin tones, bright lights in the garment, and darker values in this area of the canvas.

"A Pear Dressed For Dessert" by Susan Budash
“A Pear Dressed For Dessert” by Susan Budash

Silver MedalSusan Budash“A Pear Dressed for Dessert”

The artist makes a quiet and serious statement with this classical style still life, and then gives it her own twist with a whimsical theme. It has a compelling composition, with the pear draped in white linen cloth as a dramatic focal point, which has the power to pull you in from across the room. There is a nice rhythm of repeating lines of the forms and a harmony of color and form that makes it especially pleasing to the eye.

"Nine Days of Fog" by Elizabeth Pollie OPA
“Nine Days of Fog” by Elizabeth Pollie OPA

Bronze MedalElizabeth Polli OPA“Nine Days of Fog”

This painting represents a good example of an artist who has developed her own recognizable style of painting and choice of subject matter. The piece has strong composition, designed with lines that converge and serve to focus the eye on the center of interest, which is the horse’s face. Focus here is further accomplished by making this the lightest area of the image and through the position and attention of the dog. She has also created has a great feeling of atmosphere.

Dolgov-Vadim-BytheFireplace-24x20-$3800
“By the Fireplace” by Vadim Dolgov

American Art Collector Award of ExcellenceVadim Dolgov“By the Fireplace”

This painting has a great sense of mood that draws me in to the intimacy and warmth of the scene. It has strong composition with the foreground figure’s face as a compelling focal point. The artist has skillfully, and to me magically, used the application of thick paint and bold, loud brushstrokes to create a sense of quiet and introspection.

Malcolm-Dana-WhatWillBe-24x36-$4800
“What Will Be” by Dana Malcolm

Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine Award of ExcellenceDana Malcolm“What Will Be”

The artist has created a unique presentation of common subject matter, with compelling composition and lovely flow of line. The foreground shell serves as a strong center of interest. The reflected clouds and sky light in the water give it a dreamy, otherworldly quality that lifts the subject matter from the physical to the concept of something spiritual, which is reflected in her choice of title for the painting.

SchneiderOPA-William-FinalChapter-18x24-$3125
“Final Chapter” by William Schneider OPA

McBride Gallery Award of ExcellenceWilliam Schneider OPA,“Final Chapter”

This painting has wonderful composition that is set up by the use of light that directs the eye in a circular pattern from the book to the arm and face of the figure to the flower. This has the effect of holding me to that place and drawing me into this space the artist has created. It is a painting that really holds up from across the room, where the technique disappears and the figure appears lifelike. I feel as if I am having for myself the artist’s experience of this setting.

Hou-Haiou-BeardedMan-8x8-$1600
“Bearded Man” by Hai-Ou Hou

Award of ExcellenceHai-Ou Hou“Bearded Man”

The artist does so much in this painting with great economy of brushwork. She has created a very sensitive portrait of this “gentle man”. Her portrayal has a gentleness about it that is further supported by the quiet blue tones she has chosen. It is a simple and very clear statement of her impression of the subject.

Neighbors-Brandi-SubtleDeception-16x20-$1050
“Subtle Deception” by Brandi Neighbors

Award of ExcellenceBrandi Neighbors“Subtle Deception”

The artist has been able to convey with economy of brushwork and pleasing harmony of color and line a refreshing sense of the outdoors. I feel the sunlight and movement of the air. She achieves this suggestion of gentle movement through subtle use of value changes. There seems to be stillness only in the woman’s expression, which makes this part of the painting become the focus of attention and expression of the concept of the piece.

Damico-Tony-SnowTracks-9x12-$2000
“SnowTracks” by Tony Damico

Award of ExcellenceTony Damico“Snow Tracks”

This painting is a wonderful composition with a fresh and lively plein air feel. The sunlit banks of the tracks, with the brightest lights in the image, serve to direct the eye through the landscape, drawing the viewer into the scene. This vertical movement is echoed in the placement of the trees, and there is a nice counterbalance that is accomplished by the darker value horizontals of the landscape.

WangOPA-JanPeng-TibetGirl-9x12-$1250
“Tibet Girl” by Jan Peng Wang OPA

Award of ExcellenceJan Peng Wang OPA“Tibet Girl”

The artist skillfully uses clean bright color and expressive brushwork to convey a sunny atmosphere and open fresh quality to a child’s face. It is a sweet and lively statement in a small image.

Master Signature Division
"Jim’s Indian" by Craig Tennant OPAM
“Jim’s Indian” by Craig Tennant OPAM

Gold MedalCraig Tennant OPAM“Jim’s Indian”

The artist has created a powerful statement of ownership and attitude, with design, chiaroscuro, and color that conveys this man’s don’t-mess-with-me-or-my-bike attitude and attachment to his Indian. We quickly focus on the bright red shirt, arm extending toward the viewer, and brighter highlights from the bike. The placement of the bike, aligned perpendicular to the viewer and extending beyond the frame of the image, creates a bold and contemporary look to the subject painted in a classical style. Although the painting is detailed, there is softness to the treatment of these details that allows me to think both the artist and “Jim” have a soft place in their hearts for this bike.

Cincinnati Paint Out

Oil Painters of America · Mar 24, 2014 · Leave a Comment

OPA PAINT OUT 10-5-2013 5DThe OPA Paint Out experience was absolutely WONDERFUL! I enjoyed hosting the event and would do it again in a heart beat. The best part of it all was meeting with the artists, listening to what they had to say, seeing what they painted and being able to introduce them to OPA.
Everyone had a wonderful time on day one of the event, so much so that we extended it to our rain date event the following weekend. Everyone was thrilled to say the least and it all evolved the more it went on. We held an Artist reception and opening with live Celtic music and everyone was thrilled and asked that we do it again next year.

Many thanks for allowing us to participate, it was a life enriching experience!

Tampa Paintout

Oil Painters of America · Mar 10, 2014 · 6 Comments

paintout1
Row 1 Nathan Seay, David Kent, Kathy Baird. Row 2 Elizabeth Jennis, Katie Cundiff. Row 3 Susie Covert, Kerry Vosler
Artists came from a one hundred mile radius to attend the Santaella Studios for the ARTS first OPA Paint Out, hosted by, OPA Member Kerry Vosler. This historic neighborhood is over one hundred years old and is undergoing a time of revitalization. The resident artists of the Santaella had been looking for an event which would connect the artists to the community and draw attention to its rare beauty. The artists loved painting on the streets of West Tampa and the locals loved having them there. Many of them had never seen plein air painters on location before. We caught the attention of the local West Tampa Chamber, restaurants, and even our Florida State Representative: District 62, Janet Cruz. This is a perfect example of how artists can bring whole communities of people together.
Once artists were greeted at the Santaella with fresh hot coffee, restaurant guides and maps they hit the streets. Katie and Susie camped out all day on colorful Main Street. At lunch break they had Iconic Cuban Sandwiches, Cuban coffee & flan for dessert and Katie ordered a holiday pig. Elizabeth found, one of many cool Cigar Factories, with a tower and palm trees. The Cigar Factory Foreman would climb the tower to watch for their ships coming up the Hillsborough River, flying the Cigar Factory Flag.paintout2 They would then send the horses and carriage to collect the tobacco. Kathy painted the local life of a man painting his fence and porch. David captured the lovely old colorful bungalows both morning and afternoon. Nathan painted a well known street corner in the morning and broke to teach two students from the Vosler Young Artists’ Studio, Sophia and Kate, how to draw buildings. He did a afternoon painting of the long green house. Many arts patrons came from near and far to watch our artists at work. Paintings were sold and the artists were inspired. Eddie provided live music all afternoon throughout the wine and cheese reception at the end of the day. Robert Sargent Photography took our final photo of us with our wet paintings.
Next year we have an even bigger event planned. Now that we have made friends with our local community we will do a paint out in early Spring of 2015. This event will include a live wet paint auction at the end of the day for Art Collectors at the Santaella Studios for the ARTS.

  • Participants
    • Artists
    • Susie Covert
    • Katie Cundiff
    • Kavid Kent
    • Kathy Baird
    • Elizabeth Jennis
    • Nathan Seay
    • Kerry Vosler
    • Sophia
    • Kate
    • Music
    • Eddie Deville
    • Assestants
    • James Vosler
    • Scott Vosler
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