The annual AcrylicWorks: Best of Acrylic competition has been celebrating incredible skill and talent in the medium of acrylic for more than a decade. We’re grateful to Juror of Awards Marc Hanson and the many luminaries who have served as jurors over the years, as well as the thousands of artists who have participated. Together, we’ve created a prestigious, highly anticipated showcase that not only applauds artistic excellence but also celebrates a thriving acrylic community that just keeps getting stronger. We’re delighted to reveal the top three prizewinners of this year’s competition, and share Hanson’s insights on what made these works stand out.
First Place:
Moonlight on the Robe (acrylic on canvas, 36×24)
by Xiaopeng Liu
“I found this painting to be beautifully and competently painted in every regard. More than that, I had an emotional response at first viewing that never left me as I continued to consider it, and all the other paintings. The beauty of the paint surface, the use of a specific color scheme for effect and a masterful rendering of the figure all combine to make a very powerful image––one that I’m thrilled to be able to award with a first-place accolade.” ––Marc Hanson, Juror
Second Place:
Snapdragons (acrylic on canvas, 60×48)
by Paul Vollman
“This is an outstanding example of a powerful, but sensitive, use of the acrylic medium. The artist did a wonderful job of applying the academic principles of painting to the composition. I was also impressed by how beautifully he used the complements of red and green in various mixtures––two colors that, in combination, can be a nightmare to handle––to create such a soothing painting.” ––Marc Hanson, Juror
Third Place:
Walk of Adoration (acrylic and ink on canvas, 30×48)
by Jennifer Sowders
“The artist who painted this piece has been in this woodland, and it shows. I was amazed that the work has a lot of rendering, but it’s done so well. And I was surprised by how accurate it is without being overdone. It’s a beautiful example of using acrylic in a bold-yet-delicate way—and it’s outstanding.” ––Marc Hanson, Juror
About the Juror
Marc Hanson majored in illustration at the Art Center College of Design, in Pasadena, Calif., before moving to Minnesota, where he lived for 33 years while raising a family and pursuing his career as a professional artist. He currently lives near Savannah, Ga., on Tybee Island, with his partner—fellow painter, Dottie T. Leatherwood—and their three dogs. His paintings, which have received numerous awards, have been shown in galleries and museums nationally and internationally for more than 40 years.
*The Best of Acrylic: Winners of the AcrylicWorks 13 Competition special issue hits newsstands today! Print and digital issues are available for purchase at Artists Network.
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Source: Artists Network
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