July 9 - Aug 1, 2025
July 2025
"The Sunshine Show"
Judged by Tom Tiedeman
“I’ve learned from experience that you shouldn’t get too excited if you win an award, and you shouldn’t get too depressed if you don’t. That’s how it is in art — and in life."
[Below are the awarded artists, along with thoughtful insights from our juror on why these pieces stood out.]
Gold Award
I awarded ‘Sunshine II’ by Kat Furrow the Gold Medal because I like the way the flowers feel as if they’re drooping, with the one in the foreground light and bright and the ones in the background subdued. It creates a contrast, a tension. It’s not totally perfect — no one paints perfectly — but it’s very compelling.
‘Sunshine II’ by Kat Furrow
Silver Award
The Silver Medal goes to ‘Alive’ by Suzanne Nicolaisen. I like the colors within the abstract, the balance, the way it has depth with light up front and then receding into that red shape. Actually, it reminds me of Venice, where I’ve painted.
‘Alive’ by Suzanne Nicolaisen
Bronze Award
The Bronze Medal goes to ‘Eternal Grace’ by Peggy Stokes. It’s another abstract, with flowing shapes and colors. The artist has really conveyed the feeling of water. I’m not sure what the medium is — maybe acrylic or ink — but the technique gives it real fluidity. There are some quite specific areas in the composition I really enjoy.
‘Eternal Grace’ by Peggy Stokes
Commendations
"Birdie"
Parva Zarei
" — the use of color is very nice, and the composition of shapes is striking, almost like a bird. It reminds me of Native American or African art.
"Woman Waterfall Dragonflies"
Christine Damien
"— the use of complementary colors, blues against oranges, is powerful."
"117 Degrees"
Tim Cline
‘’— it creatively borrows from Van Gogh’s style for the sun, but it works beautifully within the composition."
"Wind Storm"
Joanne Sullivan
"— I love the contrast: pure white, deep darks, and all the in-between shades. It’s surprisingly strong and really works."