While I was looking up the details to do the feature on Kelly Eddington I came across this article. I found the images fascinating and I am not surprised that each of these artists is an award-winning figure painter.
They were all recognized in this Splash 22 Watercolor Painting Competition.
This is just a quick synopsis, for the full article go here: https://www.artistsnetwork.com/art-mediums/watercolor/go-figure-7-award-winning-watercolor-portraits-and-figures/
Too bad the article does not say how they placed, only that these pieces were recognized in the Portraits and Figures category.
1. Painting You Into Existence by Kelly Eddington
We already saw this piece in a previous blog post about Kelly. It is wonderful that the judges of the Competition felt the same way we did about this painting.
This is a particularly difficult composition because the painting of the man is distorted due to perspective. Here she painted two people with a very different perspective for each figure. Amazing work!
Painting You Into Existence, Kelly Eddington, Self Portrait
2. The Dancer by James Fiorentino
James Florentino is currently working on a series of pieces about the American west.
This painting is particularly striking, again, because of the angle of the figure to the viewer. A beautiful way to capture the movement of the dancer. The whiteness of the sky and the whiteness of her dress make her face and the bits of color pop in this painting.
The Dancer, James Fiorentino
3. What I Know Now by Kate Aubrey
Kate Aubrey wants to capture a feeling. Even though this painting is not as detailed and meticulous as the above ones, this is a powerful piece.
Some artists have a knack for portraying the emotions and moods of the situation. This portrait looks like a fragment, with a lot of the subject not included in it, yet it speaks volumes.
I love the pensive look on his face:
What I Know Now, Kate Aubrey
4. Genealogist by Stephen Zhang
This portrait is about passion. The man is obviously very engaged in what he is discussing. He is expressing it with his whole body which was elegantly captured by Stephen Zang.
Stephen Zang delights in storytelling with his paintings. This one is a large scale painting that depicts a man sharing the rich history of Black Americans in the Dallas area.
Genealogist, Stephen Zhang
5. Briskly, and with Purpose by Helen K. Beacham
From a photo snapped in the spur of the moment to a beautiful painting. Helen is telling the story of two people she saw in Venice and who inspired the creation of this painting.
The subjects delight us with a variety of patterns and colors and the bouquet of flowers attached to the backpack makes it all even more dazzling.
Briskly, and with Purpose, Helen K. Beacham
6. Laura by John B. Wolff, III
John B. Wolff III was spending time with friends when Laura struck this beautifully pensive pose.
The subject is completely unaware of the deep impression she made on the artist, yet the feeling it evokes affects every person looking at this piece.
It’s challenging to obtain this level of meticulous detail from watercolor paints.
Laura, John B. Wolff, III
7. Colin by Irena Roman
Irena Roman wants to challenge your preconceived notions about aging. She selects mature subjects and presents them in a powerful way. There is no weakness of aging in her paintings.
Colin is a handsome subject who is full of life, depicted among his collection of antiques.
Look at the detail on that jacket! You can almost feel the softness of the leather beneath your fingers.
Colin, Irena Roman
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Make sure you go to the Artists Network website and read the article including the original comments from the authors under every painting. They are a fascinating read. Enjoy!
