Still Life&Floral
AccordingtoHildebrandt,jurorfortheStillLife&Floral
category,theentrieswere“veryhighcaliber,”displaying
a wealthof“imaginationandtalent.”Shemadetechnique
andknowledgeofthemediuma toppriority,aswellas
drawing,“especiallyif a paintingisexecutedina realistic
manner,”shesays.Shealsoofferedthefollowinginsights
intothestandoutqualitiesinthiscategory:
- “Withstilllife,a paintingneedstotella story.It
doesn’thavetobeanelaboratestory;it canbesome-
thingassimpleashowthelighthitsthesubject.” - “Ilookedforsomethingthatcaughtmyeye.Withstill
life,thatcouldbeuniquesubjectmatter,a greatcom-
position,lighting,orstrongvalueorcolorcontrast.”
Animals&Wildlife
ForMaimon,jurorfortheAnimal&Wildlifecategory,
theentriesthatcontinuedtograbherattentionafter
multipleroundsofviewingwerethe
onesthatwererewarded.“Basically,
I lookedfortwokeyelements:creative
Birthday Party
No. 3
(19½x34½)
by Yael Maimon
interpretation of the subject and technical skills,” she
says. Maimon offers this advice:- “Viewers instinctively know when an animal just doesn’t
look right. Studying your chosen subject through obser-
vation and having knowledge of its anatomy will provide
the tools for better results.” - “When painting fur, show confidence. Don’t be afraid
to be suggestive, and fight the urge to paint each and
every single hair.” - “Paint a subject that matters to you. It was most
important to me as a juror to be moved mentally or
emotionally—to see the unique touch of the artist and
feel the spirit of the subject.”
Abstract & Non-Objective
For her selections in the Abstract & Non-Objective
category, Smith looked for “a mastery of technique in the
service of a distinctive personal vision that compelled my
interest.” To achieve distinction in an abstract work, she
offers the following insights:ArtistsNetwork.com 27