2021 Aquarius Awards
Best of Show
Charleston by Barbara Zimmerman - Collage Diptych
This painting really intrigued me. It was well thought out taking in design, composition, positive and negative shapes, lost and found edges among other great tributes in the making of a good painting. And with all that's happening in it, there are wonderful spaces to rest the eyes. I was attracted to the people wondering what their conversations were and where they were going. This painting was done by a very confident artist.
Carolyn E. Lewis, OPA
First Place
Cabbage Story #3 by Carol Klingel - Oil on Canvas
Design and color harmony were big in this close-up painting of a cabbage. I love the detail with the holes in the leaves and the beautiful translucency of the light coming through some of them. Great design with the leaves running off the page.
Carolyn E. Lewis, OPA
Second Place
Al's View by Bob Maurer - Watercolor
This watercolor has a peaceful serene feeling, color harmony and good technical execution. It makes one feel as if they are there enjoying this with them. The "less is more" concept made this painting.
Carolyn E. Lewis, OPA
Third Place
52 Public Square by Craig Staufer - Oil
Street scenes can really be tough with all the complexity. This artist made it look easy with confident strokes and simplicity at the same time. I loved the action in the clouds and the addition of people and a couple of cars.
Carolyn E. Lewis, OPA
Honorable Mentions
Pest Control by Teenia Geig-Koehler - Mixed Media
The artist made a little gem conveying the Carolina Wren and kept your attention on it by simplifying the upper part. You can almost hear its song.
Carolyn E. Lewis, OPA
One Green Pear by Helga Reid - Watercolor
This is another gem done in watercolor. This had great design and technical execution along with color harmony. I loved the imperfections on the pears and making the one stand out by being more green. Hence the title.
Carolyn E. Lewis, OPA
Tree Rows by Darrell Kent - Ink Markers
This painting intrigued me by the use of so many dots of ink markers but it was so well done that it all came together nicely. It had great rhythm in the sky and the trees took on their own personality like they were there having a conversation with one another.
Carolyn E. Lewis, OPA
Drummer Boy by Ken Smith - Photography
This photograph posed an emotional response. It also had a mystery to it as to who the drummer was and what had happened to him. The composition is good and the atmospheric quality it conveyed added to the mystery for me.
Carolyn E. Lewis, OPA
Juror Statement
I was very honored for the opportunity to be the Juror for the 2021 Medina County Art League Show at the Medina Library.
Every artist must remember, this is only one opinion and there were so many winners, but I only could give out 8 awards. In the end, all that matters is believe in yourself and paint to please only you.
I've always liked the phrase "it's not what you paint, but how you paint it". Every artist has their own "signature" or style and I enjoyed them all. Besides looking for the usual; strong design, composition, values, color harmony and good technical execution, I also looked for emotional content and the passion the artist conveyed. I wanted to feel the experience the artist had while creating it. Also, important to me was the artist showing their confidence in their work. Did they have a clear sense of what they were trying to communicate to the viewer?
A big congratulations to all, for without your creativity, putting your heart and soul into
your work, this wonderful exhibit wouldn't happen.
All the best,
Carolyn E. Lewis, OPA
To learn more about Carolyn please visit her website at: