Our Judge was Paul McDonald-Smith

Best in Show

Maxwell Wilks
Staiths UK

Judges Comments: I was drawn to the energy and vigorous confidence of application in this commanding work. Powerful contrasts of tone, coupled with dynamic planes and rich colour draw the viewer to explore the many complexities and subtleties of this outstanding pastel painting.

Familiar landscape elements of building and boats are enhanced by the artist’s skill and understanding of the medium. A very worthy winner.

Best in Show Runner-up

Pierina Sannia
Healthy Balance

Judges Comments: This is an exceptional still life study representing great technical and observational skill. A thoroughly convincing sense of space, light and the many textures of the various elements depicted.

The subject has been carefully arranged taking advantage of a vital diagonal that is a critical link across the composition, adding to the success of the painting. Well done.

Margaret Lourey Award

Fiona Fullarton
Morning Impressions

Judges Comments: A charming and successful attempt at depicting the landscape in a conte-jour situation. The viewer is invited into the composition by the extended shadows, leading to the play of warm and cool colour and mid-distant light and texture of broken colour. A pleasing result.

PSVA Award

Kayleen West
Paul in Vintage

Judges Comments: A most engaging and sympathetic character study which is enlivened by intelligent use of colour, lost and found edges and a particularly tactile application of the pastel medium. I also appreciated the element of enigma created by the vignette in this composition.

John Withers Scholarship Award

Sonya Bading
Three Amigos, Preston Market

Judges Comments: This work successfully addresses many complex challenges in an everyday genre setting. The formality of linear perspective and the human form are well observed and controlled in this harmonious and impressive work. Well done.

Best of Awards

Best Portrait/Figurative

Rodney Edelsten
The Fisherman

Judges Comments: I was drawn to the harmony in this composition along withthe very plausible sense of form, volume and understanding of the figure. The subject sits comfortably within the rectangle and engages the viewer with a direct gaze which has been achieved with a skilful economy of means. A great character study.

Best Waterscape

Regina Hona
Nature’s Landscape

Judges Comments: Reflections in water have fascinated artists for centuries – from the Venetian School to the present. This artist has captured a convincing and engaging depiction of water; its constant movement, and dancing reflections of sky, foliage and birdlife with confident skill. A pleasing result.

Best Landscape

Jill Shalless
Edinburgh Gardens

Judges Comments: A charming record of a moment in time that clearly intrigued the artist. The carefully placed figures enhance the design while contributing a fascinating collection of incidental portraits in a familiar genre setting. A well seen challenge, very well met.

Best Animal/Wildlife

Danielle Robertson
Snow Leopard Watching

Judges Comments: A particularly skilful work achieving high resolution of detail and texture that is entirely convincing. The many contrasting qualities of fur, form and stone surface are handled with confidence and understanding leading to a very successful work. Well done.

Best Still Life/Floral/Interior

Jennifer Paula
Sunflowers

Judges Comments: The sense of controlled space and pictorial unity attracted me to this work. The floral element of this composition is well handled; as are the elliptical and symmetrical forms of bowls and vases. The carefully constructed design keeps the viewer’s eye entertained across the surface leading to a very complete and satisfying result. An excellent still life.