The annual small image contest was held yesterday, in the Fine Arts Gallery at the San Diego County Fair. The competition is fierce, but above all, fun. There were over 130 entries in four categories.Each painting had to be smaller than 7" X 7". I'm excited to share that two of my artist friends took home honorable mention and 3rd place ribbons in the pastel/drawing category. My painting, "Lemon Delight" won the blue ribbon!!! I'm honored!!
Debbie Kretz-Johnson and I demonstrated the art of pastel painting at the San Diego County Fiar on Wednesday. So many people stopped by to watch us and the most common questions were, "Is that pastel?", "How do you get so much detail with pastel?" and "How do you get such vibrant colors?" So, it's quite fun to explain the technique and invite them to join us at a meeting of the Pastel Society of San Diego. We can not say enough about the Fine Art Divas, Kate, Kathy and Shea, the ladies who organize and run the Fine art show, plein air competition, small image contest and the demos by various artists and art groups. They make it such a pleasurable experience, we return year after year.
The Fine Art Divas at the San Diego County Fair Fine Art Exhibition put together one of the more interesting events of the Fair. This week, so many artists pull out their best paintings, smaller than 7" X 7" and enter the competition. The same artists show up each year and it's such fun! This is my entry for this year, "Lemon Delight", which is a 5" X 7" pastel painting on La Carte sanded paper.
While we were in San Francisco, the San Diego County Fair Fine Arts Show reception was held Thursday evening. It's always such a treat to enter the Fairgrounds before the crowds arrive. The reception is a wonderfully festive occasion and I get to reunite with some very talented fellow artists.
Kate Fitzsimmons, Shea, Kathy and their wonderful crew arrange a beautiful show with around 700 pieces of art, both 2-D and 3-D. Last year I missed the reception because we were attending the International Association of Pastel Societies Convention in Albuquerque, NM. I was disappointed to miss it again this year.
I'm excited to share that "At the Diner" won a 2nd place ribbon in the Pastel Landscape/Still Live category, "Daffodils and Lemons" received an Honorable Mention in that same category. "Morning Dew" also received HM in the colored drawing category. Congratulations to all those who received ribbons in pastels and colored drawing. I know them and admire their fine work.
Thank you to the Fine Art Divas! Thank you to the jurors, who took on the immense task of choosing a few pieces to award special recognition out of so many outstanding pieces of art.
