I had a wonderful surprise when I walked into the WVAL Regional Show this evening: Best in Show!
Here's the written commentary by the juror :
"Best in Show was given to Ripe and Sweet by Connie Schaertl, a painter whose three works were standouts in the group. I responded to their modest scale but deeply sensitive depictions of people in everyday situations; while I imagine that the imagery may have been first captured with a camera, the painting is fresh, loose, and imparts all the particulars of the scene without looking at all like it has been 'copied.' This is really fine painting. The grocery scene beautifully conveyed the hurry of shopping, yet I was completely persuaded that the young woman was carefully considering which tomato, gauging its weight and perfection, just seconds before she would dash over to get items on the next aisle. The title refers to that assessment, of course, yet when I later learned that this is a portrait of the artist's daughter, I wondered if it isn't also a mother's assessment of that dearest youth. A ravishing, surprisingly meaningful work of art --- bravo."
Annette DiMeo Carlozzi
Deputy Director for Art & Programs
Blanton Museum of Art
The University of Texas at Austin
My other two entries each earned an Honorable Mention.
