Plein Air Hudson returned for its second year and handed out awards recently. Who among the 22 participating artists won in Hudson, Wisconsin?
Best of Show was won by Jo Nelson for “Last Two Bales,” a pastel. “I initially was attracted to this small farm just south of Hudson intending to paint the old stone house and other out buildings,” says Nelson. “I took a short walk up a road on the side of a hill leading to a pasture and this scene caught my eye. I liked the rhythm of the fence posts that just seemed to lead my eye to the two bales of hay resting next to the whitewashed stone of the old barn.”
“Hudson Victorian,” by Richard Abraham, 2015. Second Place
Richard Abraham won Second Place with his piece, “Hudson Victorian.” “I composed this to emphasize all the opposing angles, the diagonal cast shadows against the grade of the sidewalk,” he says. “The slight angle of the path from the steps to the porch is a favorite little shape. Luckily the lawn wasn’t watered; it provided a wonderful variety of greens.”
Watercolorist Andy Evansen earned Third Place. He missed the first day of the event due to a teaching engagement, so he felt under the gun to make some good paintings in the remaining two days. From this crucible came “Behind the Brick.” He says, “I always look for a subject with strong, simple shapes that I can handle in an hour or two, and this wonderful brick building with late-afternoon shadows across the alley was perfect.”
“Behind the Brick,” by Andy Evansen, 2015, watercolor. Third Place
The People’s Choice award was won by Jeanette Richards. Bob Hodges-Bonawitz, Tom Dimock, Tom McGregor, Mike Rada, Lisa Stauffer, Bob Upton, and Dan Wiemer won Honorable Mention.
The event was sponsored by Seasons on St. Croix Gallery in Hudson, Wisconsin. Derek Davis served as judge.
