27th Annual COLOR Magazine Member Show

Judged by last year's Best of Show winner Christina Bond, we present the 2026 Member Show featuring colored pencil artwork entered by COLOR subscribers.  Scroll to discover the winners in each category and then read Christina's comments on all awards and honorable mentions at the bottom of this page.

Beginner

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Advanced

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Professional

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All Winners & Juror Comments

Best in Show: Shades of Cool by Nancy Jacey

Juror's comments:
There is beautiful, and there is awesome. This drawing most definitely falls in the latter category. The contrast of blues and oranges, and the purity of colors, draws the viewer's attention. My eye was first pulled in by the vibrant blues and mirror-like reflections in the sunglasses, then immediately drawn to the “I’m Cool” sweetly smug expression, and the subtle hues and tones of the boy's face. The silkiness of the orange shirt, those ripples and folds, are to die for. With the varying hues in the hair tendrils and the warm and cool shades of the wood background, this drawing has it all in spades. My sincere admiration to the artist of this magnificent drawing.

Beginner Category Winners

1st Place - Beginner

"Wagon Wheel" by Connie D'Amico

Juror comments: This amazing drawing represents what is arguably the greatest strength of colored pencil art: the ability to create an intricately detailed work of art. The artist has done justice to this enjoyable medium. The immense detail in every particle of sand, pebble, leaf, and blade of grass in the foreground is impressive, as is the detail in the wooden stump, the rust on the wheel, the dandelion, and the sweet little bird in the background. So many hidden gems in this drawing; it would make a fabulous jigsaw puzzle.

2nd Place - Beginner

"Summer Rain" by Jennifer Bateson

Juror comments: When art tells a story, it becomes even more intriguing. The relationship between these two young girls is palpable. You can just about hear the secrets they whisper beneath their shared umbrella. Their sheer summer dresses moving in the breeze are artfully portrayed. The technical accuracy of the girl's bare legs, from knees to ankles to little pink heels on the rough pavement, is exceptional. The sultry sky and umbrella low over their heads set a mood of intimacy that lends a conspiratorial air. I find this sweet drawing reminiscent of my own childhood friendships.

3rd Place - Beginner

"Freedom Awaits" by Suzen Moeller

Juror comments: I admire an artist who sees art in everyday objects. The composition and depth of color in this piece draws my interest. The artist has expertly taken a set of stationary objects and injected into them the concept of potential freedom and movement. The technical accuracy and perspective of the "feelfree" lettering is impressive. This artist also has exceptional skill in defining a realistic variety of hues in a "white" surface. This piece deserves to be displayed and admired.

Advanced Category Winners

1st Place - Advanced

"Dad" by John Dawson

Juror comments: Colored pencil lends itself to detail. But producing depth and vibrancy requires many skillful layers. This piece wowed me with its punch of colors. The depth and detail of skin is absolutely stellar. The pores and slight shine at the tip of the nose, the lines forming the lips and chin, the detail in the eyebrows and eyelashes, every wrinkle and shine on the forehead and cheeks, the depth beneath the throat, and the softness of silvery hair -- all so expertly constructed to develop character. The shine on the glasses frames, and the slight distortion through the glasses, are superb. This artist worked every detail, yet all the colors remain bright and clean. This portrait is so realistic, Dad could be standing right in front of me.

2nd Place - Advanced

"Hunting Horn" by Paula Williams

Juror comments: Man-made artifacts are challenging. Our brains pick up the smallest anomaly in straight and curved lines. The technical accuracy in this masterpiece is notable -- excuse the pun! The instrument is so accurately drawn, I can easily imagine the smooth, cool feel of the metal surface, and the shape of each part. The subtle tonal values of the reflective surface, and the intricate detail in the horn's components, are inspiring.

3rd Place - Advanced

"Peony" by Joan Hull

Juror comments: The purity of colors, the subtlety of blending between warm and cool, and between light and dark make this drawing a stand-out. The petals are so finely drawn, it's clear this flower is silky and delicate. The dark leaves make the near-white petals pop. The strong reddish-orange at the flower's center draws the eye from the gentle shades of the outer petals, in toward the center of the drawing, where it's easy to linger and enjoy this simple yet elegant piece.

Professional Category Winners

1st Place - Professional

"Dreamer's Realm"
by Galal Ramadan

Juror comments: Art and dreams are a match made in heaven. I love the surreal quality of this artist's work. The young woman's expression of peaceful contemplation blends perfectly with the gorgeous backdrop of the dusky autumn lake and sky. The shawl colors, combined with the warm reflections in the water, bring an overall feeling of coziness, even though I can “feel” an autumn nip in the air. The clusters of birds and butterflies, to me, represent the beauty, peace, and freedom in nature. This winning composition captivates me, makes me want to walk right in and listen to the forest-lake music. Truly a dreamy masterpiece.

2nd Place - Professional

"Ivy League" by Kathryn Hansen

Juror comments: Photorealism at its finest. I had to look at this drawing several times to convince myself it wasn't a photograph. When your brain is "tricked" by that phenomenon, it piques your interest. The intrigue impelled me to look more closely. The closer I looked, the more I noticed, and the more my admiration grew. The cat is phenomenal. The eyes and fur are skillfully done. The multitude of minute details draw your eye in. The intricacies of each leaf in the foreground, the heavily grained wooden steps in the background, and the rough surfaces of rock. Exceptional piece.

3rd Place - Professional

"Lilac Macroscape" by Krista Oremus

Juror comments: The fresh summer scent of these lilacs nearly jumps off the page in this masterful drawing. The smooth, waxy feel of each miniscule flower is skillfully represented. The depth in such a simple subject is exceptional. Bright cool whites and blues contrast beautifully with warmer pinks and lavender hues. Blending is spectacular, clearly defining each shapely petal. The gleam on various droplets of water is a lovely touch.

Honorable Mentions

Presented in no particular order, here are the honorable mentions chosen by Juror Chris Bond.
Please scroll through the gallery with the left and right arrows to read Chris's comments on each artwork. Click to view artwork bigger.

About the Juror

Christina (Chris) Bond dreamed of expressing herself through art since dabbling with drawing and painting in childhood. Having set aside her brushes to pursue a career in software development, Chris rediscovered art in 2023 through a Bonny Snowdon colored pencil tutorial. Drawing has since become her passion. It fills her heart to gift her works to family and friends.

Her drawings have been published in CP Treasures, Color Magazine and The Pencil Box Art Showcase. Chris lives with her husband and several lovely border collies in Oregon, United States.