Gold Medal at the OPA Eastern Regional Exhibition!

"Whispers" 8x8, oil on linen panel

 

We are still reeling from the stunning news that Charles' painting "Whispers" was awarded the Gold Medal at the Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Exhibition last night!

Many thanks to judge Kathie Odom for the award and her wonderful comments about the painting.

Thank you also to Kathryn Beligratis, Suzie Baker and the entire OPA team. And to Rick Reinert and Jason at Reinert Fine Art in Charleston SC for hosting the exhibition.

a screen capture from the online awards ceremony

 Even though the exhibition was hung at the gallery, the awards were presented online. Judge Kathie Odom had wonderful things to say to Charles about the painting:

Okay, this painting ... great things aren't always large paintings. This little jewel is an 8x8, and I saw it immediately is a room full of a hundred or more paintings. I looked at it from as far away as I could get. I went up to it closely, it, it just --- I dreamt about it because I, on the first day I had 3 hours to visit all the paintings, and then the next day I started at 7 in the morning and had 4 hours I guess. It, it, just, I think it's just gorgeous.

If you look at that hand and the shape that it's painted. That, that is just this wonderful surprise of shape, that we all know is so important. And, of course, the light and shadow. But the color, the colors of the paint! The elbows just are lovely! And also the hair. I don't know if you can see it fully --- I think you probably can 'cause I'm sitting here looking at it. But the colors chosen to paint the hair! The drawing, the expression, the wispiness of the whole thing. The background is painted as beautiful as the figure. And ... it just said, it was speaking to me: "It's me! It's me!" <laughs>

I just think it's exquisite. Your application of going thin to thicker, the colors you chose. If you were to tell me before the event that Kathie Odom, a plein air painter, who paints landscapes all the time, would choose this painting, I would have said you were crazy! <laughs> But, it, from the moment, first 15 minutes of walking into a room full of beautiful paintings, this one just stood out to me.

A lot of times less is more, and we all know that, but you really, really painted that, and did it so beautifully. Congratulations!

----- judge Kathie Odom

Three Paintings Named ARC Salon Semifinalists

The Art Renewal Center has posted the semifinalists in the 15th International ARC Salon Competition.

Out of almost 5000 entries, we're happy to announce that all 3 of Charles entries, "A Sonnet in Blue and Gold," "Bloom," and "Scarlet Garland," were selected for the next round of the competition!

Finalists will be announced in December, and the exhibition will go live online with the awards announcements in January.

"Whispers" Accepted into OPA Eastern Regional Exhibition

"Whispers" 8x8, oil on linen panel

 Shhhhh...

"Whispers" will be headed to the Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Exhibition, hosted this year by Reinert Fine Art in Charleston SC. Nov 20 - Dec 19, 2020.

Wet Paint Award of Excellence!

 Charles really enjoyed participating in this year's Oil Painters of America Virtual Wet Paint Competition. And it was quite an honor to receive a Wet Paint Award of Excellence from Judge John Pototschnik!

"Statuette with Roses" 24x18, oil on linen

 

The OPA came up with a great online event for these odd times, replacing the in-person paint out that would have been held at their annual conference. Everyone had 2 days to paint, and multiple in-progress photos had to be submitted along with the photo of the final painting.

 

a screen capture from the online awards presentation

 

The awards were presented online with the judge giving great comments about each piece that he chose for an award and why. Judge John Pototschnik said this about Charles' painting:

Yeah, when I saw this painting I thought "Man, this is so beautifully rendered." The statue is beautifully done. If you can see the reflected light of the violets that went into those shadows, it just is such an excellent touch. And then the top of the figure is, of course, in more intense light than the lower part, which is really nice because it focuses the eye up there, and yet the little container on the right, the bowl on the right, with the bright spot of light in there, is a really nice touch to help move the eye through the painting.

But I think, Charles, you did a great job. I love the color harmony in this. Those violets with that blue-green is a beautiful combination. The drawing of the statue, the figurine, is perfect. It just feels very convincing and solid, three-dimensional. Way to go!
--- John Pototschnik, judge

The first in-progress photo.

In-progress photo 2.

In-progress photo 3.

Two Paintings Hanging at Metro Montage XX

"A Sonnet in Blue and Gold"
with sculpture "Prometheus" by Erik Durant

 

We got out of the house last week for an outing to the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art in Marietta GA to see the Metro Montage XX Exhibition. Two of Charles' paintings were included this year.

It is a beautifully hung show, on both floors of the museum. It will be up through Labor Day weekend.

 

"The Links of Her Rubicon"
with sculpture "Poise" by Kevin Chambers

The Marietta Cobb Museum of Art

"Scarlet Garland" accepted into OPA Salon Exhibition

"Scarlet Garland" 18x24, oil on linen

More exciting news!

"Scarlet Garland" was accepted into the Oil Painters of America Virtual Salon Exhibition!
This year they've moved the show online, and it opens Aug 13, 2020 on the OPA website.

"Prelude in the Wings" accepted into AIS National Exhibition

"Prelude in the Wings" 16x12, oil on linen panel

Great new this week!

Charles' new painting "Prelude in the Wings" has been accepted into the American Impressionist Society 21st Annual National Exhibition!
The show will hang Oct 22 - Nov 21 at Illume Gallery in St. George UT.

California Art Club Gold Medal Exhibition

"She Beguiles in Red" 30x20, oil on linen

We're very pleased to announce that Charles' painting "She Beguiles in Red" has been honored with inclusion in the California Art Club 109th Gold Medal Exhibition!

They've gone virtual this year, with the exhibition opening online on May 16, with special previews for collectors.

"Bloom" accepted into OPA National Exhibition

 

"Bloom" 30x27, oil on linen

We are happy to announce that "Bloom" has been accepted into the upcoming Oil Painters of America National Exhibition!

Hosted this year by RS Hanna Gallery in Fredericksburg TX, it will hang from Aug 17 - Sept 19, 2020.

Two Online Honors for "A Sonnet in Blue and Gold"

 

"A Sonnet in Blue and Gold" was honored in two online exhibitions recently.

She was named a finalist in the Portrait Society of America's Members Only Competition, in the Non-Commissioned Portrait category.

And she received an Honorable Mention in the Signature Division of the Oil Painters of America Online Showcase. One of only 6 awards in that division!

"Figure Study in Denim" accepted into AIS Exhibition

 

"Figure Study in Denim" 16x12, oil on linen

"Figure Study in Denim" has been accepted into the upcoming American Impressionist Society 4th Annual Small Works Showcase!

He'll be headed to RS Hanna Gallery in Fredericksburg TX from March 6 - April 4.