Best of Show

John Reidy · 03-16-2007, 11:29 PM

Thanks to everyone here at SOG, especially Marvin Mattelson and Tom Edgerton for their mentoring and guidance. Because of everyone's help I have earned the award of Best in Show for my portrait entitled "The Wood Carver" in the Associated Artists of Winston-Salem's Dimensions 2007 National Juried Exhibition.

Over 400 entries were received and approximately 50 were chosen. The show encompasses a wide variety of visual art.

The judge's comments regarding his choice for Best of Show included my composition and the intensity captured regarding the carvers face and the object in his hand.

My thanks to all who have helped me with critiques of not only my work but of others as this is the marrow of education. Of course a little encouragement is always welcome, too.

For reference I have included a post of the portrait which had been posted before in the unveiling section.

Mike McCarty · 03-16-2007, 11:58 PM

Nice going John,

Congratulations on a fine painting.

Julie Deane · 03-17-2007, 08:14 AM

Congratulations, John!

Janel Maples · 03-17-2007, 09:40 AM

Good for you, John. Well deserved.

Alexandra Tyng · 03-17-2007, 10:12 AM

John, that is wonderful news--congratulations! It was a wonderful composition from the start, and you worked to make it even better. It was all worth it!

Marcus Lim · 03-17-2007, 10:53 AM

Right on John!
You've got a painting with a winning touch, as you depicted in the image here! No wonder it's a winner!

David Draime · 03-17-2007, 12:31 PM

Congratulations, John!

Thomasin Dewhurst · 03-17-2007, 12:36 PM

Dear John

I haven't seen this before, but I am glad I have now. It is technically very good. You have a wonderful sense of space, and the judges comment about how the man is convincingly portrayed as fully involved in his work is spot on. Thank-you for posting it. And congratulations on your super award!

John Reidy · 03-18-2007, 12:12 AM

Dear Mike, Julie, Janel, Alex, Marcus, David and Thomsin,

Thank you all for your kindest congratulations. I know that you all know the struggles that we contend with on a daily basis just in portraiture but adding to that the business side can sometimes be disheartening. Getting started is not easy.

Fortunate for me I have a sales background that tells me that when I receive a "no" I understand that I can rejoice because that's another "no" I can get out of my way. And that gets me closer to a "yes".

This is one of the "yesses" (is that a real word?)

It's getting late and I wanted to acknowledge all of you but when I start to make up words I know it's time for me to go.

By the way Happy Irish Furniture Day to you all. (Pattie O'Furniture)

Ok, I'm gone.

Michele Rushworth · 03-18-2007, 03:00 PM

It really is a terrific painting and I'm not surprised you won.