24th ANNUAL OPEN JURIED EXHIBITION
*PASTELS ONLY *
April 27 - may 31, 2024
Juried & JUDGED by Lyn diefenbach
We are thrilled to have internationally-known pastel artist Lyn Diefenbach as judge for PSME’s 24th Open Juried Exhibition. A professional artist for more than 30 years, Lyn has had many sell out solo shows and has been featured in a host of international and national exhibitions. Her paintings cover a myriad of subject matter, including portraits, seascapes, still lifes and florals. Lyn’s ability to communicate her ideas has served to make her a respected and sought-after tutor, with teaching engagements internationally and across Australia. Please visit Lyn’s website at ldief.com for more background on our guest judge.
Lyn's comments about the overall show are at the bottom of this page.
* view full exhibit: click here *
Artists’ Award Video: Click Here
Pastels Only includes artists representing 11 countries: Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Kingdom and U.S. United States artists represent 27 states: AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, LA, MA, MD, ME, MO, NC, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TX, VA, and VT.
* best in show *
"The Story of Light"
Jianjie Zhou * Best in Show
This overall winning work heightens the senses of the viewer in every way. I am surprised by the subject but am taken on an emotional roller coaster of stillness and beauty at the same time as I feel loss, abandonment and decay. Dust and debris is everywhere but a shaft of light turns the ugly and unwanted into a thing of beauty. The palette of colors is limited with each area of the painting exquisitely rendered to describe the subtleties of value and edge relationships. Mood and atmosphere abound. Technically superb and exquisite in every way.
~Lyn Diefenbach, Judge
* AWARD WINNERS *
Scroll past the image gallery below for judge’s comments on each award-winning pastel work.
2nd Place: A Joyous Moment - Nancy Chen
“An extraordinary portrait. Extraordinary in its textures, its vibrancy and masterful application. The face is such a small part of the whole but is beautifully rendered. The downcast eyes are contemplative and this is all surrounded by an intense array of colors set against a rich, dark background. Truly breathtaking!”
President’s Award: St. John the Evangelist - Fabio Cuffari
”A monumental piece of work. Monumental both in size and subject. I don’t pretend to understand all of the symbolism but it is a masterful return to traditional storytelling.”
Pastel Society of America Award: The Herd Pool - Trish Findlater
”This is a work that shows superbly the use of negative space to carve out the positive object. The shapes of the trees and reflections are described by the background light. The yellow sets the time of day, washing the scene with the golden hour. The painting is energetic, lively and beautiful.”
Pastel Society of New Hampshire Award: Afternoon - Cheng Li
”Beautifully rendered form is the hallmark of this piece. The subtle and delicate values of the busts support the main event of the heavy teapot. A very quiet painting that speaks volumes.”
Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod: Outskirts of Town - John Sherry
”A painting that is powerful in its simplicity. The carriages stand solidly amidst remoteness. A highly emotive painting.”
3rd Place: Red Hot - Terri Brooks
“Wow! The movement, action, light and color of this piece is astounding. Superbly drawn and rendered with brevity. You almost feel the need to cheer them on as they strive towards the finish line.”
Memorial Award: Autumn Leaves in the Nubanusit River - Joelle Feldman
“A beautiful snippet of the life of a waterway. The artist skillfully alludes to the multi levels of life in a translucent stream. The viewer becomes aware of the rocks under the water, of eddies and currents, of leaves floating free and leaves caught amidst the rocks. It’s a place filled with life and with sunlight and shadows. A place to be still and let peace infuse your spirit.”
Connecticut Pastel Society Award: Vibrant Harvest - Tatsiana Harbacheuskaya - Vibrant Harvest
”A beautiful composition of shapes, values, colors and of edges all put together with immense confidence and joyous, energetic strokes.”
Central Massachusetts Pastel Society Award: Smile Bicycle - Chi Kuang Lin
”A tricky subject with a twist of fun, approached with energetic markmaking. Successful in every way.”
Comments ~ Lyn Diefenbach, Judge
Lyn Diefenbach's Comments on the Exhibit and “What ART is really all about”:
Before talking about the winners and other works that caught my eye, I would like to give you a snippet into the world of "What art is really all about?"
What you see before you ( even though virtual) is a room full of ideas, of thought processes, of responses to a theme. Each work expressing a uniqueness of personality and individuality that is a gifting to this world. Being creative, in whatever form, is an integral part of being human - one that should never be neglected no matter what life throws at us.
For an artist to take an idea from being just an idea to a full blown glorious conclusion is a thrilling and satisfying experience even though there might be frustrations along the way. Hours can be lost at the easel, the mind is diverted to the task at hand and rested from the world around. The occupation can be contemplative, meditative and yes sometimes a struggle which when resolved is so satisfying.
For me, walking into my studio is like a homecoming - the smell of oils an elixir, the table littered with ideas, the canvasses stacked, the pastels piled high, the dog waiting - anticipating a day of comfort while I expend all of the energy.
The activity of creating is an exercise in mental gymnastics, so much more than just a pleasant pastime or a slapping around of paint. It takes practise and time to have an eloquent artistic voice. Art can be used to make a statement or simply to draw attention to a subject because it is beautiful or quirky or evocative. And art, of course, for the one who buys, is an investment in visual pleasure that satisfies for a lifetime.
With these thoughts in mind, how can I possibly judge one work against another but needs must and so here is my criteria for selection.
Firstly, it has to grab and hold my attention. This does not mean that it needs to be “loud” ,but it might be quiet and contemplative, a solace for the soul, a rhythmic beat, an elegant finesse or it could be bold and delivered with flourish. There’s a multitude of emotions that might be felt and all are valid.
A well composed painting will always give life to the story line or the reason for painting the subject in the first place. A successful composition will lead the eye on a voyage of discovery throughout the picture. It will highlight the main act and will put in place the supports for it so that it will have something to say even if this is as simple as the pure delight of a thing of beauty.
There are so many different approaches to painting and thank goodness for that. From the extremes of abstractionism to hyper realism and everywhere in between there is a niche for everyone and every approach is valid and each, if done well, take an extraordinary amount of skill. This skill doesn’t happen overnight, it takes painting miles, determination, a trueness to self and a recognition of what brings you joy and how you want to express it. We don’t suddenly arrive but we can certainly enjoy the journey and applaud the successes of those on the same pathway.
~ Lyn Diefenbach