Kaleidoscope 12.5 x 9.5 Alma Cartaya	HONORABLE MENTION The Brave 24 x 17.3 Karina Griffiths	Grace & Beauty 5 x 7 Marilee Sundius
Entwined 12 x 21 Linda Palmer	First Snow 11 x 14 Tina Norris	Living The Big Easy 23 x 16 Cheryl Caro
The Hairdressez 12 x 12 Kitty Dodd	Ooops! 13 x 10.5 Margaret Nelson	PEOPLE'S CHOICE Gladys 12 x 16 Lisa Ann Watkins
Hope 10.75 x 10 Terri Neal	'Les' is More 18 x 18 Susan Wehrman	Zephyr 14 x 11 Rhonda Dicksion
Whiskers and Wicker 10.8 x 5.5 Dede Barsness	Pete's Benz 10 x 13.5 Sue Grimm	The Sea Captain's Wife 15.5 x 11.5 Pam Gassman
Hide n' Seek with Tony Chihuahua 12 x 9 Carol Mack	Golden Eagle 6.5 x 8.5 Sarah Binns	Never to Leave 24 x 19 Anita Cunningham
Precipice 13 x 10 Faith Wheeler	Limonade 10 x 14 Manon LeClerc	Whooo, Me? 7 x 5 Sue Betanzos
Aiden 9 x 9 Raylene Linder	Megalopolis' Realm 8 x 11 Thelma Lazo-Flores	Discarded 11.7 x 16.5 Michelle Ripari
Blue Skies Smiling at Me 19 x 24 David Neace	Inner beauty 10 x 8 Deirdre Mackintosh	Merry-go-round 11.5 x 8.5 Denise Wilson
Migraine 9 x 12 Laura Wray	Tea For Two 26 x 20 Lori Sutherland	Starlight's Watchful Eye 13.5 x 14 Helen Bailey
Zinnia #2 18 x 24 Chris Zinn	Ponca Boy 9 x 12 Theresa Rhodus	HONORABLE MENTION Red Hot Chilli Peppers 10.5 x 9 Judith Selcuk
HONORABLE MENTION Mid Day Glory 12 x 18 Robin Manelis	HONORABLE MENTION Oh Shenandoah 11 x 14 Sharon Hester	Carol's Azelia 8 x 8 Chuck Gluch
HONORABLE MENTION Ellie 20 x 16 Marsha Gilger	Touched by Nature 11 x 8 Kathleen Collins	Cock a Doodle Dandy 11.403 x 8.389 Terry Mellway
Chillin in the Park 9 x 11 Adare Diers	The Mist at Upper Pine Bottom 11 x 14 Mark Neuherz	Abandoned 10.626 x 8.8 Ruth Paul
Family Group 12.25 x 11.75 Jane Tivey	Robyn 9 x 12 Judith Hamilton	Gone Crabbin' 20 x 30 Julie Ann Maguire
Breezy's Bad Hair Day 5 x 7 Becky Eileen Eller	Sophie's Selfie 9.5 x 7 Julie King	Who Me... 8 x 10 Tracey Chaykin
My Buddy Size unknown Pat Mitchell	Orchid Dance 17.5 x 9 Rita Morgan	Pinus bungeana 20 x 24 Carol Mason
Promise 10 x 8 Andria Burchett	Glacier Park, Crown of the Continent 20 x 16 Shannon Johnson	Spring Snow 16 x 19.5 Lis Zadravec
Foreshadowing 14 x 17 Marta Oliehoek-Samitowska	Beauty Sleep 12 x 12 Kathy Lally	Winged Hunter - Peregrine Falcon 8 x 10 Annette Kirk
Historical Sight 12 x 18 Pamela Clements	THIRD PLACE Old Masters Tribute 12 x 16 Irina Garmashova-Cawton	Southern Charm 18 x 24 Kathleen Smith
Kit Kat 11 x 14 Chantal Marcotte	Ahead of the Storm 10 x 8 Jodi Ferguson	Mama's Magnolia 11.5 x 9 Lorrie Cerrone
Jack 20 x 16 Paul Hunt	Three Waterlilies 7.5 x 9.5 Ruth J Kary	Acadian Splendor 30 x 38 Joyce C. Mayer
Wild Innocence 18.25 x 13.5 P. Craig Ellertson	Relaxing 16 x 20 Wayne Allen	Sacred Eagle 11 × 14 Susan Fox

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Juror's Statement

2017 Juror: Andrew Purdy, CPSA, winner of last year’s Best of Show Award.

Best of Show
Mandarins and Paper by Paco Martin Dominguez

In judging, I browsed all the pieces with a quick glance and then more deliberately several times more. As my eyes scanned all of the entries I was drawn repeatedly to Paco Martin Dominguez’s “Mandarins and Paper” every time.

The simplicity in its message coupled with the realistic representation of the fruit against an even more simplistic crumpled paper background was very hard for my eyes to resist. The perfection of nature’s fruit against the imperfect brown paper was a well-contrived secondary contrasting element. The addition of the rip in the lower portion of the paper helps to guide the viewer’s eyes up to the two gems resting comfortably on the shelf above.

I was both overwhelmed by the simple message of this piece and by the astonishing detail of the tangerines’ skin texture and color. Paco’s portrayal of realistic detail in this eye-pleasing composition has been masterfully done.

First Place 
Up the Creek by Karen Hull

Color and movement are exemplified here in Karen’s wonderful nature piece, “Up the Creek.” The end of the summer months, crisp air and a gradual transition to the colder temperatures of winter can be felt in this piece.

What struck me most about this piece was the carefully placed reflection of the clear blue autumn skies above and mirrored in the creek water. Remove this small, but significant feature of Karen’s piece and the peaceful and serene mood is all lost.

Color, composition and thoughtful application of details that are a pleasure to gaze upon have been brought together so very well in a very skillful manner.

Second Place
Wandering Orvieto by Caryn Coville

The daytime view of a quaint Italian village alleyway on a hazy day was clearly conveyed in Caryn’s impressive rendition. The quiet and relaxing stroll through the centuries-old residences was translated so very well.

This piece beckons your eye closer in an attempt to put yourself onto the walkway in a hurry to catch up with the pedestrian who is making his way around the distant corner.

Caryn accurately portrayed the length of the path with slight changes in color and dissolving details to give the viewer the sense of distance and depth, which both leads and pulls the eye to and from the end of the path and out again.

The light coming off of the cobblestones and reflected off of the bottom surfaces of the arches in the foreground and to a lesser degree in the second and third arches truly placed this work above so many others. The play of light was what made this colored pencil painting such a success.

Third Place
Old Masters Tribute by Irina Garmastova-Cawton

When I view this work I am asked, how long of a journey back in time will it take me? Will it be a memorable one? Irina has applied great talent to successfully take us all the way back hundreds of years to the days of the unique ambiance found in the works of the Old Masters.

She has constructed an image that not only by the title but also more importantly by her skillful achievement, gives homage to a time and influence of centuries ago.

The tonal quality of this image united with the two soft sources of light that illuminate the objects does in fact cause you to reflect on the same style seen in the works of the 16^th- and 17^th-century Dutch Masters. The addition of the detailed reflections in the glass was perfectly executed and adds invaluable authenticity to the entire piece.

Irene managed to summon Vermeer, Rembrandt and Frans Hals very successfully in this beautiful commemorative to those great artists while still imposing her own style.