Best of Show - 2D

February 27th - March 2nd I was in Tulsa Oklahoma at the Natureworks Art Show & Sale. Anyone who has attended can attest to the quality of this show. Held at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel & Convention Center, the Naturework directors gather top talent from around the country and beyond (one artist hails from Africa!)

The painters, sculptors, and carvers who exhibit and sell are not only some of the best for their wildlife and landscapes pieces, they are a fun group of artists. We spend time each evening after the show to chat, eat, and play games. No wonder the waiting list for the show is long.

Not only does the show generate more than 1/2 million in sales from less than 60 artists, but the show commission goes to a wildlife monument for Tulsa and to area conservation projects. The directors, their spouses, and numerous volunteers take no money for all their long, hard work in putting on the show. My heartfelt thanks to the Natureworks family.

This was my 13th year exhibiting at the show and I had the honor of winning Best of Show - 2D for my painting Flight. In this group of artists, wow.



Flight

Original oil        30" X 52"



 While I am thrilled to have the ribbon and the cash award, I can't help but think there were so many great pieces to choose from. Lyn St. Claire's snow geese painting was stunning, filled with movement, and brought back memories of watching them land in remote Manitoba. Scot Storm's Greenwing Teal painting, Emerald Reflections is just drop dead gorgeous. Bruce Miller had a chickadee piece which was particularly creative and Jim Bortz had a number of thoughtful, captivating pieces. One of my favorite pieces in the show was a carving by Chris Wilson. His carved flying fruit bat was brilliant. Painted delicately, you almost felt like ducking when you saw it. (Chris did win Best in Show-3D for a much larger piece.)

I could probably go to everyone's booth and find something I loved. It is that kind of show.

With my traveling done for a while, I am looking forward to a more relaxed time at the easel. Stay tuned for an "easel-trip" to Greenland.