The awards for the June 2024 PleinAir Salon Art Competition were announced on July 31st. The selections were made by judge, Kathleen Dunphy. The overall and category winners will now be included in the judging for the 14th Annual PleinAir Salon Competition being awarded in May 2025.
FIRST PLACE
Annie Murphy-Robinson, Emily “Inchoate”
Charcoal, 42×32 in.
“Beautiful execution and understanding of the medium, coupled with accurate drawing and a big emotional impact makes for a masterful work of art. What’s left unsaid in this drawing is what elevates it: the half-shadowed face, the moody background, the dream-like quality. Striking, unique, and unforgettable.“
SECOND PLACE
Kevin Macpherson, Aix en Provence
Oil, 20×24 in.
“Light emanates from this work, like there’s radiance in the paint itself. The subject matter is so complex but there is no trace of effort or overworking – a true sleight of hand when this much perspective and figure work is involved! Beautiful observation of subtle color shifts in the shadows while maintaining the overall value structure.“
THIRD PLACE
Kyle Ma, Overcast Day in the Tuileries
Oil, 24×20 in.
“Another painting with incredibly complex subject matter that’s so well depicted: pulling off the task of accurately painting the building while keeping it quiet enough for the foreground focal areas to shine takes amazing restraint and accuracy. The repetition of the purple-ish tone of the tree behind the statue throughout the painting keeps the eye moving while the flowers in the foreground lead us into the scene. So well done!“
CATEGORY WINNERS
Each category award winner is now entered into the Annual Competition that will be awarded in May 2025.
CATEGORY HONORABLE MENTIONS
The category honorable mention recipients are eligible to re-enter their paintings into future competitions.
