I’ve been drawing and painting my whole life.  After taking the art stream at high school, I went straight to university to study fine arts (University of Canterbury, New Zealand), emerging three years later with a Diploma of Fine Arts, majoring in painting, in 1980.  

I left New Zealand as soon as I finished university to settle in Australia where I’ve lived ever since.  The idea was to come here for a year, save up and go overseas.  But one thing led to another…marriage…children – and here we are.  

Though I had infrequent exhibitions through the 1980s and 1990s, I didn’t start to regularly exhibit until after 1999.  My daughters’ increasing independence I had more time to devote to art, exhibitions and art awards.  Some time ago on the art journey I hung up my oil paints and made the commitment to full timepencils.  I’ve been using pencils exclusively for around 15 years now. I’ve had 50 art awards and have had 11 solo exhibitions.

My website is www.juliepodstolski.com   Since January this year I have been tending (just like one tends one’s garden) a blog, the subject of which is, unsurprisingly, art.  http://juliepodstolski.wordpress.com

Best of Show: “Reflections”    Howard Harris

“Reflections” is a moody and evocative landscape, superbly crafted.    There is something of the spirit of Monet about this work.  Howard shows his audience a tranquil yet bleak landscape; a place which might reflect the intensity of one’s own feelings, be they blissful or melancholy.   This deeply contemplative work is simultaneously intellectually and emotionally satisfying.

1st Place: “Closer to the Light”     Cheryl Mitzger

It is hard to look away from the intense gaze of this lady’s eyes as she scrutinizes the viewer even as the viewer studies her.   While her body bends under the weight of age and time, her eyes reveal a soul unafraid and strong.  Her wrist watch ticks away time but the blue and lilac colours of clothes and wall symbolize serenity.    This is a drawing as powerful as it is dignified. 

2nd Place: “Motmot in Quintana Roo”    Sharon Hester

Sharon’s pencils have convinced me of the reality of this jungle.  I can feel the tropical heat and smell the pungent scents of leaves, bark and damp soil.  The motmot reigns over his world; all is bathed in luminosity.  If a work can have a voice, then this work sings.

3rd Place: “Maryland Plaza”    Susie Tenzer

In the American photorealist tradition, this urban-scape ‘tells it how it is’ without embellishment.  I particularly like the reflections in the paving stones plus the use of power lines and road markings as compositional tools.  Her observations remind her audience that there is artistic value in everyday surroundings which most of us take utterly for granted.  

4th Place: “Graffiti”    Holly Sinsical

Here is the jittery energy of youth, impatient to get on with growing up.  Quite the opposite of “Closer to the Light” the subject of “Graffiti” has a nervousness and vulnerability about her.    She looks intently but is not making eye contact.  Rather, she seems to be focussed inward; questioning. 
Graffiti is what kids do on walls.  In this composition the curved shapes of the graffiti add to similar shapes of shoulder straps, leggings and leotard.  All the rounded shapes contribute to a feeling of energy and the exuberant good health of youth.