“As You Were,” by C.M. Cooper, oil. Best of Show

A new show for the American Impressionist Society got off to a rousing start in Costa Mesa, California, recently — the Small Works Showcase.

The show is hanging at Randy Higbee Gallery through March 25. Peggi Kroll-Roberts served as judge. She chose C.M. Cooper’s oil painting “As You Were” for Best of Show, worth $4,000. “Head paintings are very difficult,” comments Kroll-Roberts. “Approaching this subject with broken color and vigorous brushstrokes, you could either end up with a mess, or good strong form as displayed in this particular painting. She chose one of the toughest subjects, and this is a strong design — the key to a good painting.”

“Amethyst,” by Charles Young Walls, oil, 16 x 12 in. Second Place
“Amethyst,” by Charles Young Walls, oil, 16 x 12 in. Second Place
“Bright Light in the Room,” by Charles Iarrobino, oil on linen, 16 x 12 in. Third Place
“Bright Light in the Room,” by Charles Iarrobino, oil on linen, 16 x 12 in. Third Place

Second Place went to Charles Young Walls for his oil painting “Amethyst.” Charles Iarrobino won Third with “Bright Light in the Room.” The Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine Award of Excellence went to Nancie King Mertz for the pastel “Illume.”

“Illume,” by Nancie King Mertz, pastel. Fine Art Connoisseur Award of Excellence
“Illume,” by Nancie King Mertz, pastel. Fine Art Connoisseur Award of Excellence

Awards of Excellence were also given to Laurie Hendricks, Aimee Erickson, and Dawn Whitelaw. Awards of Merit were given to Richard Dahlquist, Ron Stocke, and Nita Harper.

Cindy Wilbur’s winning piece at the Crystal Cove paint out
Cindy Wilbur’s winning piece at the Crystal Cove paint out
Kelli Folsom painting at the Crystal Cove paint out. Photo by Vanessa Roethe
Kelli Folsom painting at the Crystal Cove paint out. Photo by Vanessa Rothe

A paint-out was held in conjunction with the show at Crystal Cove. The competition was won by Cindy Wilbur, with Fran Ellisor taking Second Place and Inna Cherneykina winning Third.


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