Face Value

Juror’s Notes

“People Watching”, Gaylord Mink’s Best of Show photograph, sets the theme for this months exhibition, “Face Value.” In his statement he gives insights into what motivates an artist to want to create as he observes this world. Artists “see” the world where most people just look at their world. In one image he captured the light of a sunny day, the emotions on his wife’s face and through the reflections in her sunglasses, and the activity of the environment. The drama of the moment is further enhanced by the dynamic value contrast and sharp focus of Mink’s photo. The composition of the photo invites the viewer to participate and mentally complete the story he saw through his lens.

Robert Michaels also offers a narrative subject in his First Place image, “Boy Mechanic.” The composition is arranged so that the young boy appears to be guarding his personal world of cars, machines and rust. As you approach the compositions you are not sure if the boy is welcoming or challenging you as you move into his private world. Michaels further manipulates the photo to have a painterly quality through the use of soft color and subtle light demonstrating his expertise in digital image manipulation.

“Self – Portrait after Rembrandt,” Second Place oil painting by Jenny Amboise, is an example of the artist’s introspection and consideration of portraits rendered by a master artist. Rembrandt was known for recordinghis life through self-portraits as he developed into a mature artist who was recognized for his excellence during his lifetime. Self-portrait as subject is an accepted genre for artists today. However, Rembrandt’s pictorial documentation of himself was a cutting edge concept because subject matter was closely controlled by the art academies and the religious dogma of the time. Rembrandt’s work left a legacy of the stages an artist goes through as he pursues his craft. Jenny successfully parallels her artistic career to his but with the modern twist of strong brush strokes and contemporary colors. To further enhance her image she eloquently writes of what she sees in the painting as if it is a mirror of her life creating a record of time passing. The message is not that she is where she wants to be in her career but the tilt of her head she lets the viewer know she defiantly on her way.

The Third Place offering by Karen Jones, “Artist See Bravely” shows the optimism of an emerging artist. She paints herself squarely in the center of the composition with a look that says she has a head full of ideas waiting to become art masterpieces. She is surrounded by images that could be a cityscape or landscape or even an ethereal world of the future. The twinkle in her eyes and sideway smile combined with a brilliant use of color and texture further supports her confidence in what she believes the world has in store for her.

Tatianna Dzhus’ drawing “Pierre Richard” was selected for Fourth Place honors because it is classically rendered in the tradition of the masters. She applies her refined drawing style to theatrical subjects she is familiar with. The composition is meticulously structured and is an excellent example of her understanding of the elements of design: full value range, excellent use of negative and positive space, confident line quality to develop subtle contrast and texture to reflect the life of the prominent actor. It is a powerful, successful, and expressive drawing.

Honorable Mention

The artists I selected for Honorable Mention represent the diversity of media and artistic styles found in “Face Value.” They also reflect my bias for strong contrast as well as saturated color and value. I love the varied subjects: classical, introspective, satirical, futuristic, humorous and reflective. They are all on the level of excellence with the five pieces I selected for top honors and each artist is to be congratulated on a successful artistic image.

__Juror – Caryl Morgan

First Place

Robert Michaels

"Boy Mechanic"

Photo-based digital painting ,

Sale Price $POR

Artist Statement

“Photography has traditionally been used for its imitative but sometimes limited capabilities for capturing what already exists in the world. As an artist/photographer, I utilize the camera as a visual tool to create entirely new environments. Using my original photographic images as essential elements in a montage, I distort, manipulate, and reinterpret shapes, colors, and light in order to creatively explore new visual possibilities. Through this ongoing process, I visually communicate the imagery and concepts that otherwise would remain only in my mind.”

Biography/ Resume

I have been fortunate to have been a successful professional artist, photographer, graphic designer, and author for many decades now. I have specialized in high resolution Fine Art Photography and Graphic Design through COMPUTER ENHANCED IMAGING. Photography, digital photo-illustration, and fine art creation have dominated my professional career.

I have been providing professional photography since 1974 for print, advertising, and multimedia. Based now in Sedona, Arizona, I have been a photographer, artist, and graphic designer, servicing commercial clients with PHOTO-ILLUSTRATIONS for ADVERTISING, EDITORIAL, and other print work including CATALOG and MAGAZINE COVERS for international publications, brochures, and various periodicals.

Current projects involve the integration of FINE ART PAINTING and PHOTOGRAPHY through COMPUTER ENHANCED IMAGING.

Corporate clients have included among others:

National Geographic, Polaroid Corp, Hewlett-Packard, The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, The Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, GA, AGFA, Fujifilm USA, American Airlines, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Marriott Hotels, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Sunset Magazine, U.S. State Department, United States Air Force, Arizona Biltmore Hotel, Hotel Del Coronado, International Spy Museum, University of Southern California (USC), Personality Hotels of San Francisco, Niebaum-Coppola Estate Winery, Sunset Magazine, Camera & Darkroom Magazine, UCLA, United States Postal Service, Los Angeles Zoo, Signet Scientific Corporation, Computer Artist Magazine, Photo Electronic Imaging Magazine, Rapidocolor Corporation, Management Graphics, Photo Lab Management, Fargo Electronics, Winona Schools, AAA, Mohegan Sun, Afflink, Andromeda Software, New Media Magazine, Lasermaster Corporation, AQ-Automotive Quarterly, Concours d’ Elegance (NY), etc.

Fine Art Exhibits (Partial Listing):

Los Angeles Center For Photography (special exhibit on Venice Beach, California)

Artworks Gallery, Santa Barbara, California

Mann Gallery, Los Angeles, California

Shoreline Gallery, Malibu, California

2008 Hamptons Concours D’ Elegance, New York

2008 Velocity Art in Motion- exhibit in Minnesota

2010 Harvest Northwest Exhibit, Bend, Oregon

2012 City of Sedona: exclusive exhibit as featured artist

2012 T.A.W. Tumalo/Bend, Oregon

2012 Flashback Cruz: Bend, Oregon Show (exclusive artist)

2012 Harley Davidson Classic Car Show (exclusive artist), Bend, Oregon