2023 Spring Digital Show Award Winners

First Place – Spring Snaps by Anne Hightower Patterson

About the Juror, Chris Leeper

Juror’s Statement

First, I would like to say how honored I am to be asked to jury the awards for this exhibition. I do not take this duty lightly. I have been on the other side many times. There were many deserving paintings. I looked at each painting again and again. Eventually, certain paintings seemed to really stand out and those are the award winners.

Whenever I begin jurying a show, I have great anxiety. Seeing all the paintings produces doubts. How can I visually consume so many paintings? How can I find the award winners? Eventually, a consensus begins to build. Certain paintings instantly relate, and others are harder to penetrate and take more time. Why do some paintings jump out right and others fade? For me it is a combination of things. The formal art elements are considered first, i.e., design, value, and color. Other considerations are technical skills, use of the media, the artist’s vision, and personal style. The actual subject of the painting is not really that important. A great painting can be any subject. It really comes down to what the artist did with the subject.

Jurying is completely subjective. My choices are opinions. Another juror might pick different awards. Understanding this should give comfort to those not winning an award. I encourage all the artists to continue to paint. However, do not paint for juried shows. Paint for yourself. Continue to educate yourself and strive to improve and make interesting and personal statements. If you get in a show and/or win an award, consider it a bonus for a job well done.

Juror’s Reflection on Selected Pieces

Spring Snaps This painting excels on so many levels. It is a highly competent treatment of a difficult and complex subject. The key is that the complexity does not overwhelm the design. The artist has made great decisions about value, color, and shape so that the overall design is very strong. Everything works together without sacrificing the specifics and this makes for a powerful painting.

Heart Throb When I am judging a show from online images, I spend a considerable amount of time at the beginning just looking at the thumbnail images. When the image is reduced, it is easier to see the overall design and composition. This painting shines at the thumbnail level and delights when you zoom in. There are beautiful jewel-like washes of color, interesting textures in the background and a pleasing, energetic design.

The Gin House I may have spent more time looking at this painting than all the others. The design is quite simple. My question was, “Is it too simple?” It is an interesting question. Ultimately, I came to appreciate the compositional choices. The simplicity of the design anchors the painting so we can enjoy the interesting pieces and parts that energize the surface. The use of color, shape and value are very sophisticated. It is a strong image.

Glistening Octopuses I was drawn to this originally by the pleasing warm/cool palette–the blue is electric! I liked the solid composition and the positive/negative design. There is also something whimsical and strange that appeals to me. It is one of those paintings that stick in your head.

2023 Spring Digital Show Gallery

Below are the 2023 Spring Digital Show works. There are 108 works, which were submitted by 70 individual artists across the nation. To see the title and artist, simply hover your mouse over the image and the information will appear at the bottom of the image. Asterisks (*) at the end of an artist’s name indicate the work is for sale. To view a full screen enlargement of the image, simply click on the image itself.

We are thankful for all participating artists and the powerful show we were able to curate thanks to their artistic prowess. All accepted artists are listed alphabetically by their last names below the gallery. If you have interest in acquiring a particular piece, please reach out to Anna Izard, at scwatermediasociety@gmail.com for more information.

Accepted Artists

First Name Last Name city state
Suzanne Accetta Greenville SC
Christine Alfery Lac du Flambeau WI
Victoria Alger Myrtle Beach  SC
Teresa Anderson  Anderson  SC
Mary Angers Long Branch NJ
Gina Noelle Ash Indian Land SC
Katherine Bates Daniel Island SC
Helen Beacham Summerville SC
Jefferson Boozer Charlotte NC
Sharron Burns Mint Hill NC
Rebecca Carruth Hartwell GA
Kathy Caudill Rock Hill SC
Marc Chicoine BROOKLYN NY
Rosie Coleman athens GA
Walter Costilow Vestavia Hills AL
Dorothy Cromartie Charleston SC
Gail Cunningham Columbia SC
Patty Cunningham Greenville SC
Suzy Czerwinski Mooresville NC
Anne DuMont Daniel Island SC
jennifer edwards florence SC
Lynda English Florence SC
Carolyn Epperly Charleston SC
Renea Eshleman Cayce SC
Lisa Franklin Tequesta FL
Denise Greer Rembert SC
John Hancock Waynesboro VA
Lyssa Harvey Columbia SC
Karyn Healey Summerville SC
Anne Hightower-Patterson Leesville, SC
Catherine Hillis Locust Grove VA
Susan Hopps Inman SC
Alice Jackson Landrum SC
John James Va Beach VA
Judy Jarrett Columbia SC
Russell Jewell Easley  SC
Renee Kahn Charleston SC
Maura Kenny Pawleys Island SC
Kathy Kitz Lawrenceville  GA
Pat Konicki Taylors SC
Amy Kuenzie Lexington SC
Ron Malone Bartow FL
Constance Manley Columbia SC
Rebecca Masters Conway SC
Rebecca McDuffie Charlotte  NC
Diane Mitchell Pickens SC
Lee Monts Columbia SC
Kathryn Morganelli Irmo SC
Al Morris Pendleton SC
MC Nash Rock Hill SC
candace naumowicz zacher Summerville SC
Wesa Neely anderson SC
Daryl Nicholson Savannah GA
Philip Palma Bluffton SC
Elizabeth Purcell Clemson SC
Marcia Pyner Indian Land SC
Sharon Reinckens Rockville MD
Adelia Ruth Saluda SC
Nancy Seay Greensboro NC
Rosemary Segreti Athens GA
Annie Skakun Boyce LA
Alan Smith Belton SC
Constance Spencer Tega Cay SC
Gregory Supple Wappingers Falls NY
Barbara Terry Florence SC
Susan Trott Charleston  SC
Rachel Varner Columbia SC
Christine Walker Charlotte NC
Beth Woodall Camden SC
Juanita Yancey Columbia SC