Watermedia 2002 – Juror’s Talk 
by Diane Maxey

Notes taken by Diane Hausmann                                 October 5, 2002

Opening statement: Overall she was impressed by the selection of good material to choose from to jury the show. Congratulations to everyone involved.  Technique is not what she was looking for; she is most interested in design. No matter the medium, designing the page is the most difficult.

The four main categories for her concern are color, contrast, construction and content.  She wants an artist to make their painting speak to the viewer. The painting should speak from 50 feet (across the room) and hold the viewer’s interest at 5 feet and hold up under a close eye at 5inches.  In competition a painting has to be on the cutting edge.

The award winners were not judged on subject matter they were judged on content, the statement the painting makes. It was a very difficult choice between the gold and silver award.

Gold award, Charlene Brussat –“Ready for the South 40”
---Had a strong abstract quality- the darks against the lights. Loved the simplicity of the horizontal anchors supported by the verticals. The changes in values hold it all together with the light and dark pattern in the simplicity of shapes. Magnificent design!


Silver award, John T. Salminen –“ 79 Mott St ” 
---Two main shapes jump out and are pulled together with a beautiful pattern and placement of midtones. Jewels of color are well placed. Very well executed.


Bronze award, Sandra Saitto –“Guanyin #8”
---This painting really jumps out and speaks to her. Very powerful design, a bit heavy handed. Great color.
         

Presidents Award, Donna Thomas,”Autumn Shadows”
---Vicky loved the atmosphere created in the painting; the peaceful colors and softness. Good handling of subject matter, boats out of the water, made it interesting

      Board Award,  HC Dodd, “ Imperfect Circle ”
---Good handling of medium. Loved the push-pull in the strength of the reds, but if the reds are suppose to be the focus it needs to  be a brighter red, it looses its punch at 50 feet. White shapes kept the attention secondary, the complimentary shapes keep the eye going.

      Founder’s Award, Edie Dunlap, “Check Point”
---Wonderful ambiance. The uniforms add unity, holding the pieces together. Colors selected for the background help me feel the heat of the day. I have empathy for the teachers. Loved the ‘eye’ of the teacher looking over the kids. Beautiful design, shapes working together. The shape of the figures add to the painting.  She used figures to pull the abstract secondary shapes together, bridging the top and bottom. Abstract is the structure, kids are the decoration.  It takes every piece of the painting to work. Its not overstated or understated.

       Expressionist Award, Dawn Cope, “Mom’s Family”
---This piece expresses what it had to say very subtlety, very simply, very well designed overall. It didn’t have to scream the story. It's quiet expression said it all.

       Beelman Award, Elise Beattie, “Wish You Were Here”
---Enjoyed the humor in the design. The eye moves well through the break of the shapes, need a strong focal point.