Taking Third

While we would naturally all like to come in "first" in everything....sometimes even "third" is a wonderful thing when in the company of sooo many other talented people.
This weekend was the Westport Art Group's spring juried show,"Nature's Bounty". This happens to be an area where there is an abundance of very fine artists, many of whom I am happy to also call "friends" as well. Needless to say it becomes a challenge to have your work noticed above the rest in a place where there is such fine art at any given show.
Soo...imagine my surprise when I discovered I had placed in the show!!

Another truely  lovely detail of this was the "Judge's Statement" written in the show program. In his words...." Strong, simple composition, impressive from a distance yet full of complexity within the selection of collage materials. The wry expression of the turtle suggests that he is viewing his audience."
My delight was that he "got" it. The fact that my paintings are, at first glance, easily recognized subjects on their own.....but upon a closer look...much more complex than what is first implied. That is the part that draws the viewer in to a deeper level of the piece...to where a story starts to unfold.
Yes...it made my day.