Best in Show
Traditional
James Griffin
Born in Canada, James Griffin grew up in Peru, England, Brazil, and the USA. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Pratt Institute in 1972. In 1976 and began freelancing as an illustrator, working for most of the major publishers. In 42 years, he has created almost 4000 illustrations, mostly romance novel covers
His fine art work is represented by three galleries, the Dabbert Gallery in Sarasota, Florida, the J.Petter Galleries in Saugatuck, Michigan and the Ironbound Gallery in Camden, Maine.
James has created paintings to help with fundraising for charitable causes, such as a large, freestanding work titled Music, for the Versoi Ensemble in their performance at the Music For Food Program. He created a six-foot tall painting of a gypsy violist titled, The Enchantress, for the Perlman Music Program, founded by violinist, Itzhak Perlman. The art was used for their fundraising. He also created a painted violin for them for the same purpose.
James has had many solo exhibitions. Most recently a solo show at the Art and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota. In November 2019 he will have a solo show at the Art Center Manatee, titled, A Tapestry of Motion. That theme refers to his long, narrow compositions of pedestrians walking and of ballet dancers in motion.
He teaches a class called Painting with Expression at the Art Center Manatee. He will be teaching a class to Italy in June 2020.
Teaching art has become a very creative endeavor for him, his class projects pushing the learning experience into the realm of major art pieces.
His Cloud Series encompasses the majestic formations in the Florida skies. He describes them as “the mountains of Florida”, rising above the flat landscapes of the area. Sometimes the land is removed altogether, leaving the clouds to play across the canvas in abstract ways.
If you are interested in seeing more of James’ work, please visit his website. Visit the 3rd Annual Skies Exhibition here.
Best in Show
Photography & Digital Art
Pavlos Evangelidis
Pavlos is a learning hobbyist photographer, exploring different genres but keenly interested in underwater, nature and travel photography. He established Wantok Photography in Solomon Islands in 2017 as a way to promote environmental conservation through photography.
Wantok is a Melanesian pidgin word derived from the English “one talk”. In local culture, it refers to close friendship based on a common language.
In a world that is getting increasingly connected, we feel photography is the universal language. What better way to express beauty, action, emotion, experiences, moments..?
If you are interested in seeing more of Pavlos’ work, please visit his website. Visit the 3rd Annual Skies Art Exhibition here.
Best in Show
3-Dimensional Art
Diana Fernández
It is for me to recognize what can be unearthed: to reveal what magnificence of light and colors of form discover the sensuality that lies within. With a courage gained through experience, I can break into these alabaster stones, revealing their secrets subdued, cloaked in the dusts of our Planet cosmic evolution, which is why I love stone sculpture.
And my bronze sculptures are also a summary for the concept of cosmic art because are very durable, able to withstand the elements for many years when properly prepared. Finally, the ability to use corrosive materials to create a patina allows to create a vibrant coating, because bronze is an incredibly important historical art medium for sustainable sculpture representing the cosmic elements.
To see more of Diana’s work, please visit her website. Visit the 3rd Annual Skies Art Exhibition here.