Still life impressionists from Australia, Greece, Lithuania, USA and Sweden receive highest scores in Category 23 of the 2017 AMERICAN ART AWARDS.
This year the American Art Awards (www.AmericanArtAwards.com), juried by the 25 Best Galleries & Museums In America (listed below), had online art images in 50 CATEGORIES submitted from artists in 56 COUNTRIES: Albania, Argentina, Australia, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt, England, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UK, Ukraine, USA, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Wales.
The 1st Place to 6th Place winners in all 50 categories will be revealed in the news about a category a day, stretching into November, making this one of the longest winner announcements of any art competition in the world.
-----------------------------ABOUT 1ST PLACE WINNER JOHN MCCARTIN
Born 1954 in Sydney, Australia, John displayed a marked natural talent for drawing as a boy, but didn't start painting as a hobby until age twenty. With no mentor or opportunity for formal training he developed his craft through much practice, and studying the work of the great many artists, past and present, who continue to inspire him.
John worked full time for the public service to support his family in spite of his passion for painting. He commenced his career as a full time artist in 2002.
In a relatively short time John has been catapulted from obscurity to international acclaim as one of the world’s finest artists.
Since 2011 he has received over 70 MAJOR INTERNATIONAL ART AWARDS and is now acknowledged as a master artist by many of the world’s leading artists and galleries.
In 2014 John was approached by Settlers West and Trailside Galleries, and was hand-picked by Gallery France from those considered to be the best fine artists working in the world today to become an exhibiting member of the Artist Guild ‘MASTER PAINTERS OF THE WORLD’.
John is an adept painter of landscapes, seascapes, floral/still life, human figure/portraits and animals and displays great versatility in being able to work effectively in most mediums capturing a diverse range of subjects.
Visually striking and convincing representations of the real thing, his works have great beauty and intense realism, designed to stir the heart and lift the soul. His use of colour and tone create a powerful illusion of space, light and atmosphere. Light, particularly, is a notable feature of his work, prompting favourable comments by viewers, artists and reputable judges.
These qualities combine with John's keen powers of observation, superb drawing skill and passionate response to an inexhaustible array of subjects, setting him apart from most other artists.
His works can also be found in private and corporate collections worldwide and in the following galleries: John McCartin Fine Art Gallery: Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Morpeth Gallery: Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Trailside Galleries: Jackson, Wyoming, Scottsdale, Arizona.
-----------------------------ABOUT 1ST PLACE WINNER GEORGE POLITIS AWS, RI CV
George Politis paints in watermedia and lives in Thessaloniki in Greece.
He is signature member of AWS (American Watercolor Society), RI (Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolors), SDWS (San Diego Watercolor Society), AWA (Arizona Watercolor Association), NEWS (North East Watercolor Society), IAF (Institut des Arts Figuratifs) and has served as President of the Artists Society of Northern Greece (2009-2015).
He had solo exhibitions, including: Vafopouleion Gallery (Thessaloniki, 2017), Metropolitan Gallery (Thessaloniki, 2017), Govedarou Art Gallery (Thessaloniki, 2015), Dipolo Gallery (Thessaloniki, 2015), Triveni Gallery, N. Delhi (2014), Reims (France, 2013), Myro Gallery (Thessaloniki , 2013), Techni Gallery (Kilkis, 2013), Piraeus Bank Convention Centre (Thessaloniki 2010), Geni Tzami, Thessaloniki, 2006, Hellenic Centre, (London, 2002), Gallery 47 (London, 2001), Aristotelion University in Thessaloniki and Katerini St-Fotios in 1999; Rodopouleio Center, Larissa in 1998; exhibition of the Organization of the Cultural Capital of Europe at City Hall of Thessaloniki, 1997; Municipality of Thessaloniki, 1996.
He has participated in numerous group exhibitions in Greece and in international exhibitions and contests. His paintings won many international awards.
George Politis was invited and participated in the Biennial of Shenzhen, China (2015), Biennial of Shanghai (2012), the 1st Watercolor Salon of Qingdao (China, 2014) and the 1st Biennial of Watercolor of Qingdao (2015), Kaifeng (2015), Silk Road Art Festival in China (2016, 2017) etc.
He has served as juror in National and International watercolor exhibitions and he is the organizer and curator of the Thessaloniki Biennial of Watercolor (“Watercolor International - Greece”) and the Watercolor Salon of Thessaloniki.
His paintings are featured in art books and catalogs (International Artist 2001, L’ Aquarelliste 2000, L’ Art de l’ Aquarelle 2012, 2016, The Artist 2000, 2002, Artissime 2013, The Artist -USA 2017, Le Grand Livre de l’ Aquarelle etc)
POLITIS artist statement:
“I love painting in watercolor and mixed watermedia.
Selecting whether going in the “pure” direction of totally transparent watercolour, or using acrylic inks, collage and other media is based on the subject and on the personal reaction to a potential subject.
The medium is not the most important thing. The result is…
Thus, I like to experiment a lot and find new ways to express my ideas. I experiment with various materials and processes, very often disregarding rules. Especially in my “Wall Series” I like to create some… controlled chaos and find ways to compose and create a balanced painting out of this chaos.
I like aged material, rusty metal, weathered wood…
Time plays a very basic role in my paintings; particularly the way it leaves
its mark on varied objects and on nature itself fascinates me. I see in the old, rusty and ravaged both truth and excitement. I can find inspiration in ordinary and commonly overlooked items, responding to them with dramatically different feelings each time, whether emphasizing the serenity, the loneliness, the atmosphere, the melancholy.
My aim is to make the viewer share my feelings and share my love for such objects that have “lived” in glory once… and that can still have sparkle today !!”
Below are the 25 BEST GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS IN AMERICA who agreed to vote on the 2017 American Art Awards:
BEST IN PENNSYLVANIA — JAMES A. MICHENER ART MUSEUM. “... 40,000 sq. ft.... world-class group of paintings... permanent collection of more than 2,800 objects... accredited world-class facility... diverse program of educational activities... more than 135,000 annual visitors...” http://www.michenerartmuseum.org/
BEST IN LOUISIANA — NEWCOMB ART MUSEUM. “... legacy of education, social enterprise, and artistic experience. Presenting inspirin exhibitions and programs that engage communities... founded in 1886... recognizes the contributions of women to the fields of art and design....” http://newcombartmuseum.tulane.edu/
BEST IN ILLINOIS — HILLIGOSS GALLERIES. “Chicago’s Premier Art Gallery for 20+ years. The two-story 8,500 sq. ft. gallery is the epitome of a well-oiled machine... perfect marriage of artist, collector and setting... original paintings by the world’s finest living artists, as well as fine prints by historic and 20th century masters.”http://www.hilligossgalleriesil.com/
BEST IN NEVADA — THE METROPOLITAN GALLERY OF LAS VEGAS ART MUSEUM. “... over 20,000 sq. ft.... intellectual excellence and leadership... dedicated to raising awareness... promotes an understanding and appreciation of art by making accessible to the public fine art exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural events... local, regional and international artists... “ http://mglv.org/
BEST IN KENTUCKY — E&S GALLERY. “... professionalism, reputation, gallery space, exhibitions, artist roster and clientele... 11,000 sq. ft. gallery, custom framing and art publishing... African American art with an unmatched selection of artists, medium, subject matter, and genres. ... “ http://www.eandsgallery.com/
BEST IN MISSISSIPPI — OHR-O’KEEFE ART MUSEUM. “...just as Ohr (1857-1918) rose from devastating personal and professional loss to create an extraordinary body of work, so too the Ohr-O’Keefe has risen from Hurricane Katrina’s destruction... diverse cultural heritage of the Mississippi Gulf Coast... compelling exhibitions and educational experiences......” http://georgeohr.org/
BEST IN NEBRASKA — KIECHEL FINE ART. “...few have the roster and esteem as Keichel... discerning eye... three story four gallery showplace... many of the top Midwestern Contemporary artists... “ http://www.kiechelart.com/
BEST IN COLORADO — COLORADO SPRINGS FINE ARTS CENTER. “132,000 sq. ft... one of the only multi-discipline arts institutions... For nearly 100 years, the top cultural attraction of the Pikes Peak region... world’s finest art... extraordinary visceral experiences...” http://www.csfineartscenter.org/
BEST IN SOUTH DAKOTA — SOUTH DAKOTA ART MUSEUM. “Since 1970... artistic legacy of South Dakota in all its diversity. Harvey Dunn, Native American art, Marghab Linens... 7,000 objects in its collection...”http://www.sdstate.edu/south-dakota-art-museum/
BEST IN SOUTH CAROLINA — MARY MARTIN GALLERY OF FINE ART. “... excellence and steady expansion... museum quality art including bronze and stone sculptures, original oil and acrylic paintings, extraordinary watercolors... number one tourist destination in America... on par with Beverly Hill’s Rodeo Drive and NY’s Fifth Avenue...”http://www.marymartinart.com/
BEST IN UTAH — MEYER GALLERY. “... over 50 years, a contemporary art icon in Utah. The building (former First National Bank of Utah) is listed with the National Register of Historic Places and on the Park City Museum’s Historic district tour. Featuring both representational and abstract works... “ https://www.meyergallery.com/
BEST IN NEW MEXICO — BLUE RAIN GALLERY. “...Santa Fe’s exceptional exhibitor of all factions of art... pieces from noted glass artisans to bronze sculptures and wood sculptures to two-dimensional works, artisans contribute elegant to elemental, neo-traditional to transcendental, neo-tribal to contemporary Native American... “ http://blueraingallery.com/
BEST IN MISSOURI — UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI MUSEUM OF ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY. “...Stunning collections across a wide range of cultures... Greek, Roman, Near Eastern art works, ancient Egypt, Byzantium, Asian, African, Ancient Americas, and Oceanic cultures... important collections in European and American art from the fifteenth century to the present... “ https://maa.missouri.edu/
BEST IN CALIFORNIA — CODA GALLERY. “A Palm Dessert landmark for thirty years, this contemporary El Paseo gallery has a vast collection of paintings, photography, sculpture, glass, and ceramic works by a wide range of established, mid-career, and emerging artists...” http://www.codagallery.com/
BEST IN OREGON — ROGER YOST GALLERY. “Located in a 1927 art deco tower in the heart of Downtown Salem, Oregon’s capital city... more than 7500 sq. ft.. of exhibit space featuring paintings and sculpture from Lithuania, The Czech Republic, Vietnam, France, Germany, Argentina, Russia, Spain, UK, Budapest and Hollywood. A second location coastal version in Newport...” http://www.rogeryostgallery.com/
BEST IN ARIZONA — BENTLEY GALLERY. “For 30+ years, Bentley Gallery in Phoenix has been synonymous with contemporary painting and sculpture in the Southwestern U.S.... mid-career and museum-collected artists from the states and Europe, as well as ancient art and artifacts... Chinese bi and cong from the Neolithic period co-exist seamlessly with contemporary works...” http://www.bentleygallery.com/
BEST IN MAINE — PORTLAND MUSEUM OF ART. “Cultural heart of Portland... significant holdings of American, European, and contemporary art, as well as iconic works from Maine... a steadfast commitment to their community and region... their high level of attention to the complexity of art and history exemplifies respect for artwork and art makers...”http://www.portlandmuseum.org/
BEST IN CONNECTICUT — BRUCE MUSEUM. “113 years... high on a hill overlooking Greenwich Harbor... nearly 15,000 objects: paintings, sculpture, drawings, prints, photographs, multimedia compositions... accreditation from the American Association of Museums, an honor granted to fewer than 5% of all museums. Voted the best museum in Fairfield County... “ https://brucemuseum.org/
BEST IN FLORIDA — ART FUSION GALLERIES. “8,000 sq. ft.... in the heart of Miami’s Wynwood Art District... preeminent gallery in Miami for integrating the best of Emerging to Mid-Career Contemporary artists... represents over 1,000... “ http://www.artfusiongalleries.com/
BEST IN INDIANA — HAAN MANSION MUSEUM OF INDIANA ART. “Holds the most extensive Indiana art collection in the US, including paintings from the Hoosier Group and Brown County Art Colony. Specializing in major oils, over 100 artists are represented. Haan is a true find; a rare hospitable time-capsule cradling a precious past.”http://haanmuseum.org/
BEST IN VIRGINIA — WILLIAMSBURG ART GALLERY. “Located on Merchants Square along Duke of Gloucester Street in beautiful downtown Williamsburg, Virginia... Historic Triangle... a natural and inspiring home for art, dedicated to showcasing the beauty of the region as depicted by local as well as international artists, including exceptional work of Russian modern masters... a crossroads for art.” http://www.wmbgartgallery.com/
BEST IN GEORGIA — HATHAWAY CONTEMPORARY GALLERY. “A premier contemporary art gallery located on the Westside of Atlanta. They give space to the cutting-edge artists of today to express creative voice and explore societal issues... committed to building a supportive, sustaining community for the arts.” http://www.hathawaygallery.com/
BEST IN MONTANA — DANA GALLERY. “4000 sq. ft. of space, making it the largest contemporary art gallery in Montana. Excellent 20+ year reputation. They represent Montana and regional painters many of whom are internationally recognized...” http://danagallery.com/
BEST IN NEW JERSEY — EVALYN DUNN GALLERY. “It is very rare to find a gallery so successful that it is approaching it’s 60th year... also features the finest 20th Century American and European art...” http://www.evalyndunnsgallery.com/
BEST IN HAWAII — LIK LAHAINA, LIK WAIKIKI. “Peter Lik has 12 exceptional gallery locations and is the most successful photographer in the world... sold upwards of $500 million of artwork... The 2014 sale of his B&W photo titled “Phantom” for $6,500,000.00 is the highest sum ever paid in its genre. Lik’s works make up four of the top 20 most expensive photographs ever sold.” http://www.lik.com/