“Graveyard at La Pieve,” by Marc Delassio, oil, 10 x 14. Second Place winner

Eight other artists were chosen as semi-finalist and will also be eligible to win the $20,000 in cash prizes at the conclusion of the contest. Those included Jivan Lee, Jerry Markham, Larry Moore (for two of the paintings he entered), Hiu Lai Chong, Rajesh Sawant, Michael Situ, Thomas Kegler, and Jim Wodark.

In commenting on Ned Mueller’s painting, Carver said “Glorious! Magical, late afternoon light is captured beautifully in this piece. I adore how all the strong rich color notes are set against the luminous lilac of the water and the sky. But the underlying structure and thoughtfulness of the composition is what is really striking. Essentially, it is built upon a triangle, but the placement of the main figure, his reflection in the water, the fishing net hanging down, and how he is lined up—almost—with the mast of the distant board creates a strong vertical dynamic too. Beyond that, the eye happily bounces to secondary points of interest: the smaller boat and figure on the left, the cluster of boats to the right, and the buoy in the foreground. It is a masterful piece and I can not find—as hard as I look—one brushstroke that I would change.”

“By the Fireside,” by David Tanner, oil, 12 x 16. Third Place winner

Ned Mueller will receive a profile in the PleinAir Today e-newsletter, a $250 gift certificate from SourceTek Plein Air Panels, a $100 gift certificate from Blick Art Supplies, a $120 Gamblin Accents on Landscape Painting System, some Gamblin Gam Var Varnish, and $100 worth of Isabey French Handmade Bristle Brushes.

Second Place winner Marc Delassio will receive a $200 gift certificate from Judson’s Art Outfitters for a Guerilla Pochade Box or other materials, and a $200 gift certificate from RayMar for canvas boards or wet canvas carriers. Third Place winner David Tanner will receive a $100 Utrecht ArtSmart Gift Card.