January 6 - March 31, 2022
CAC Virtual Gallery
For Winter Solace, the fourth installment of our quarterly Excellence in Traditional Fine Art Competition, artists were asked to provide works that represent their idealistic Winter utopia. Imagery could depict a pristine landscape powdered with fresh snow, a snapshot of a holiday tradition, or wildlife enjoying the winter quiet.
Our gratitude goes to Tim Newton, publisher at Western Art & Architecture, for being the guest judge and curating these images for this virtual exhibition, showcasing the most exemplary submissions as well as the prize-winning works.
Artwork is available for purchase. If you have interest in acquiring a work, please submit a purchase inquiry. In addition, we suggest consulting our Terms of Sale.
Congratulations to the Winners!
First Place – $1000 Prize
Frank Serrano
Big Pine Winter
Oil on linen board, 10" x 10"
There is great light and energy in this very chilly winter scene. I especially like the handling of the layers beyond the water.
– Tim Newton
Second Place – $500 Prize
Nita Harper
The Snow Bush
Oil on panel, 20" x 24"
I love the light and shadow in this composition. In addition, the warm tones in the background add a pleasing depth.
– Tim Newton
Third Place – $250 Prize
Naomi Shachar
Heavens Weep
Oil on linen, 28" x 42"
The subtlety of this stark scene makes for wonderful storytelling. The artist has captured the landscape perfectly.
– Tim Newton
Honorable Mention– $75 Prize
Larry Cannon
Winter Waves in Malibu
Watercolor on paper, 16" x 20"
The nicely handled paint of this bright and fresh watercolor conveys the joys and wonders of Southern California.
– Tim Newton
Special Recognition– $50 Prize
Heather Martin
Comfort
Oil on panel, 8" x 10"
The folds in these sheets and pillow are so well executed! In addition, the light is very successfully handled, very believable.
– Tim Newton
Frank Serrano
Big Pine Winter
Oil on linen board, 10" x 10", $2,250
The Eastern Sierra has always captivated me with its immense beauty. I first visited the area while on a fishing trip with my father as a young boy and I knew then it was a special place I would return to, time and time again. Years later, as a professional artist and living at the base of the Sierra in the Owens Valley, I was inspired to paint Big Pine Winter. It depicts the light and atmosphere of the early afternoon that permeates the High Country at times, during the winter.
– Frank Serrano
Purchase InquiryNita Harper
The Snow Bush
Oil on panel, 20" x 24", $3,000
The concept for The Snow Bush came to me during a week last summer where we had temperatures here in the desert that hovered around 118. I thought that thinking about winters I had experienced growing up in the Chicago area would create a fun diversion from the heat. I never really liked winter. I hated being cold and wet, I wasn’t good at winter sports. I did, however, love the low, winter sun casting golden light and long shadows over the heavy, wet, lake effect snow that dragged branches to the ground and drifted into deep piles. It was beautiful.
– Nita Harper
Purchase InquiryNaomi Shachar
Heavens Weep
Oil on linen, 28" x 42", $9,600
At Little Big Horn the legendary and notorious site of Custer’s Last Stand, torrents of cold rain were pouring down, and then a strong wind blew the clouds away, and the sun came shining through. It was as if the heavens were weeping over this stark and solemn site, with only the wild horses to breathe life where so many were lost.
– Naomi Shachar
Purchase InquiryLarry Cannon
Winter Waves in Malibu
Watercolor on paper, 16" x 20", $3,500
Point Dume State Beach is a long, gently sloping Malibu beach which culminates at its southern end with a sheer cliff and giant boulders tumbled into the sea by some past catastrophic event. In stark contrast to this rocky shore, the calm winter sea and bright sunshine on this day offered a gentler scene, but with crashing waves to remind the rocks that a less gentle sea will soon return to continue its relentless pounding to slowly grind them down to join the smooth sand of the nearby beach.
– Larry Cannon
Purchase InquiryHeather Martin
Comfort
Oil on panel, 8" x 10", $550
I'm always looking for inspiration in the everyday scenes around me, and this ocean of grays immediately drew my attention. I wanted to capture not only the warmth and comfort, but that rush of bliss one gets when jumping into a soft bed with heavy blankets, and the smell of the down pillows and cotton sheets.
– Heather Martin