Magnolia by Aganetha Sawatzky: oil

That time of year to see the best works of Port Stanley's artists has rolled around once again with the annual Port Stanley Artists' Guild Show & Sale.

Now in its twentieth year, this show does not disappoint any more than did any of its predecessors. If anything, the work seems to get better and more varied each year. Opening at 7:00 p.m. on Friday the 11th, the show runs until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday June 13th, 2010.

The judge this year was Catherine Elliot Shaw, Curator from the McIntosh Gallery at the University of Western Ontario.

Judge's Choice Awards (with judge's comments):

Yellow Roses by Carolyne McCleod: watercolour: "In it's subtle shading and solid composition, this painting is well supported by the velvety qualities of the medium."

Algonguin by Philip Schmidt: photography: "Taken with a painter's eye, this photography captures the ethereal nature of the scene and uses minimal light to great advantage. The reflected shimmer in the foreground allows us entry, while the trees at the side define the space."

Magnolia by Aganetha Sawatzky: oil: "Quite apart from the outstanding quality of this hyperrealism technique, the artist has captured just the right light effect to create a powerful yet delicate image. Bravo!"

Distant Fires by Susan Tanton: mixed media: "The landscape in this composition appears to morph into surreal imagery yet maintains its visual weight. The painterly qualities underscore this sensibility and keeps the eye moving across the picture plane."

Blossom by Melissa Kempf: Canadian soapstone: "In this difficult medium, the artist has successfully rendered the delicacy of flower petals and underlying energy of the living bloom."

After the Harvest by Jean Johnson: acrylic: "The contrasting color, appropriate detail and atmospheric perspective are skilfully balanced in this inviting scene."

The Derby by Beth Spence: mixed media: "In this delightful portrait, the artist has successfully met the challenge of extreme foreshortening and provided the viewer with a real sense of the horse's personality."

Careful Lest You Spoil by Laura Woermke: oil: "The juxtaposition of poetry with a sensitive portrait provides many avenues for consideration by the viewer, yet the tent is also an integral visual element of the composition." [Sold]

Rising Sun by Heather Keating: watercolour: "This seemingly simple composition carries much complex detail to draw the eye in. The artist has maintained it all in this unforgiving medium and produced a wonderful painting." [Sold]

Abstract by Suzette Terry: mixed media: "Her combination of balanced colour fields with a central collage makes this an enjoyable work. The orange section glows and yet it does not over power the other elements." [Sold]

Honourable Mention Awards (with judge's comments):

Orange Berries by Mary Gullis: watercolour: "The quiet Eastern sensibility of this painting is reinforced by the muted palette and minimal detail."

A Fleeting Moment by Rowena Spersrud: mixed media: "The contrast of the glowing metallic central element and the painterly background works very well. The eye is drawn back repeatedly to decipher the layered patters which provides much visual interest."

Where are we Going? by Pat Curtis: acrylic: "The human-like forms of these trees are at once inviting and disturbing as each one seems to writhe in the eerie light. The foreboding atmosphere is heightened by the intense background in this successful composition."

Passing Through by Diane Dobson: mixed media: "The combination of colour, texture and composition with the undefined elements above makes for an intriguing image."

Reflections by Debra Kubu: plein air oil: "The deft inversion of this image at once intrigues and disturbs until it settles in the viewer's eye."

Patsy found her thrill on Picnic Hill by Rosemary Nagel: mixed media: "This entire series is a delightful combination of pop sensibilities, astute collage and whimsical titling."

Scarred Sky #2 by Jan Row: digital/mixed media: "The artist skilfully uses the medium to produce an arresting image which seems to glow from within."

Cityscape #2 by Judy Ross: acrylic/collage: "Both of the Cityscapes combine in a visually intriguing combination of texture and colour. The deft placement of highlighting strips and punchy colour provides lots of detail to enjoy."

Rainy Day by S'ine Maule: watercolour: "In this calm and lyrical image, the artist has demonstrated a deep understanding of the demands of this unforgiving medium where the slightest wrong touch can result in complete disaster."

Cathedral by Sue Shurish: mixed media: "This is an interesting combination of media, colour and spatial composition which provides the viewer an intriguing starting point for the pondering the relationship of elements." [Sold]

People's Choice Award:

This is the artists most coveted award. The voting on this will not be complete until the show concludes Sunday afternoon. We will update this article with that information on Sunday evening. Update: The Patron's Choice Award went to Aganetha Sawatsky. It was called Magnolia and Robins.

Showing Artists: