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Past Aquarius Exhibits
2019  |  2020  |  2021

17th Annual Aquarius Exhibition

presented by

Medina County Art League

2021 VIRTUAL Aquarius GALLERY

2021 Aquarius Awards

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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?

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A big congratulations to all, for without your creativity, putting your heart and soul into 

your work, this wonderful exhibit wouldn't happen.

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All the best,

Carolyn E. Lewis, OPA

 

To learn more about Carolyn please visit her website at:

www.lewisstudio.com

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