Art BEAT Buzz Publisher Judges Spring 2025 Elmhurst Artist Guild Members' Show Awarding Seven Ribbons Now Open at Elmhurst Art Museum -- See the Winners Here...

Art BEAT Buzz publisher, Lynne Kornecki, awards BEST IN SHOW ribbon to David Hammer for his outstanding watercolor, "Hope". The member show is open through April 27, 2025, and located within the Elmhurst Art Museum at 150 S. Cottage Hill Road in Elmhurst, IL

By LYNNE KORNECKI, Publisher

What a wonderful spring show this is bursting with vibrant, scintillating color! It was very challenging narrowing down so many outstanding paintings to just seven award winners. If you have a chance to visit the show, please do -- and take the entire family. The Elmhurst Art Museum hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 12 to 5 PM. Scroll down to view the other winners and my judge's comments.

BEST IN SHOW, "Hope" by David Hammer, watercolor.

Judge's Comments: This watercolor draws the viewer in with so many intriguing aspects such as its excellent composition and visual story line, along with exemplary execution of the medium itself. The realism displayed in the rocks, the gnarly tree and individual leaves is simply stunning. Also, there's good use of light and shadow. The window overlooking the water beyond the garden wall adds yet another element of interest. Overall, this painting presents a great sense of place leaving the viewer to ponder more about exactly where it is!

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE, "April" by Anna Toberman, oil

Artist, Anna Toberman poses with "April"

Judge's Comments: WOW! What an exquisitely painted face and winsome expression. The painting invites the viewer to engage longer with the subject by wondering what is she thinking? What is she feeling? So, not only is it a lovely portrait, but there's story here too. The porcelain skin tones and the way the lighting strikes her face are beautifully harmonized. The hair--especially her braids -- are well presented. Also, the muted floral, springlike background adds to her youthfulness making viewers think that she is definitely on the brink of young womanhood.

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE, "Ritual" bronze sculpture by Bruce Webber

Judge's Comments: The farming or gardening rituals of Spring are solidly captured in this engrossing sculpture from a 360-degree perspective. One side gives the viewer a sense of rakes and hoes for working the earth in preparation for planting. Yet, another view shows the arms of a human ready to put muscle to mud in order for a Fall harvest to happen. Balance, composition, and story line along with excellent execution, combine to make this entry engaging for viewers.

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE "Springtime Flowers" by Fred Moss, oil

Judge's Comments: Such a captivating composition -- a little girl among a swath of colorful blossoms. The garden path leads the eye right to the child. The eye also sees through the low-hanging branches to the blue sky in the background adding a great sense of depth and realism to the piece. The textured stone wall presents a nice contrast to the soft, colorful flower beds. The overall impact of this painting is an engaging feeling of peacefulness and satisfaction knowing that the earth is springing back to life once more with many more buds in the foreground about to burst open.

HONORABLE MENTION: "Spring Forward" by Nancy Hlavacek, acrylic

JUDGE'S COMMENTS: Love the explosion of spring colors and the loose lines to create the blossoms. What a fun piece! Color contrast of dark and light is well executed along with the illusion of many flowers intertwining with a tangle of stems and leaves. The color palette is lovely, and the jumble of floral material makes for a provocative painting that's full of movement springing, literally, to life.

HONORABLE MENTION: "Moon River" by Susan Nester, watercolor

JUDGE'S COMMENTS: What an interesting storyline here making the viewer think twice about taking things at face value. There appears to be TWO rivers -- one in the sky enveloping the moon and one below basking in the moonlight. What's especially whimsical about the land-based river is that far below it lie the dinosaur bones of ages past. Composition and color choices are wonderful as is the depth within the night sky. The artist demonstrates excellent mastery of the watercolor medium.

HONORABLE MENTION: "Day Poppies by Benjamin Calvert III; wood block print

JUDGE'S COMMENTS: The poppies have a delicacy about their paper-thin petals that is clearly evident. A viewer can imagine them blowing in the breeze under the cloud-speckled, bright blue sky reminding me of Georgia O'Keefe's work. It evokes the impression of a wonderfully warm summer day. And that cloud pattern is as engaging as the randomly placed poppies beneath. The combined elements generate an overall impression of realism despite the fact that the entire piece is highly stylized. There's great use of vibrant color along with an overall dynamic design.