Studio B Art Gallery Announces Award Winners in "PETS!" Exhibit

by Jane Stahl

To assist jurors in choosing artworks for prizes, before they begin, we provide the juror with colorful Post-It notes to place on the artwork in contention before making their final selections. That procedure proved challenging, however, for juror Sandra Severson. She'd  found so many pieces she liked in Studio B's current exhibit entitled "PETS!" Lime green squares were everywhere!

Award Winners
Best in Show was awarded to a mixed media piece titled  "Klimt's Cat" by Kathryn Morgan. Sandra commented, "I had a huge emotional reaction at first sight, and the Asian beauty kept me captivated. If I saw this in a museum I would spend a lot of time appreciating it, (and I did!). Gorgeous!"

Second place was awarded to a mixed media print by Sharon Merkel titled "Kylee." Sharon Severson noted, "This [piece] is so beautifully done: draftsmanship, values, and composition/design. What puts it over the top is the emotion - it’s filled with joy!

Of Michael Adams' watercolor titled "Sophie" that earned a third place award, Sharon remarked, "Beautiful design and composition, wonderfully executed. I love the emotion and happiness of Sophie’s face!"

Honorable mentions were awarded to Gail Fronheiser's mixed water media piece titled "Up Too Early" and Kathi Ember's oil painting, “Lola In Repose." Sharon offered the following comment on Gail's piece: "A gorgeous, bright and strong work of art. Everything about it is masterfully executed!"

And of Kathi's, she said,  "The whimsy and execution caught me! I was especially taken with the landscape behind the figure. It creates a whole world. Great job!"

Other favorites
Sandra had a list of other works she wanted to applaud: Jim Meehan's "My Snake and I," Rebecca' Rohrbah's "My BFF," Laura Gelsomini's "Queen of Kings," Martha Ressler's "Whiskers Among the Hostas," and Martha Ressler's "Eyes as Windows to the World." 

Fragrance Pairing
An additional feature at the opening was provided by Eric Vinskie, fragrance artisan. Colors, shapes, content--even composition of an artwork--translate into scents, or notes, to Erica. And so, she requested that I send her images of four pieces of artwork several weeks before the opening so that she could blend custom fragrances--perfumes to "pair" with the artwork . 

And so there are fragrances to experience for Kathryn Morgan's "Klimt's Cat,"  Martha Ressler's art quilt: "Whiskers Among the Hostas," Bob Hakun's "Ancient Robot Dog," and Laura Gelsomini's "Queen of Kings."

For example, the blend "My Little Frida," paired with Martha's "Whiskers Among the Hostas," includes notes of lemon, day lily, garden greens, lily-of-the-valley, narcissus, coffee grounds, gardenia, cedar, and humus (soil). 

Henny Faire Co--Erica Vinskie 
Erica’s early goals of becoming an art therapist and then a studio artist changed when she realized she valued spending time with people. And so, “painting with fragrances” has become her lifetime pursuit. Her business “Henny Faire Co.” features a line of fragrances. She offers workshops and participates in community events in which folks create custom blends based on their favorite fragrances. Visit hennyfaire.com for more details and a schedule of events. Learn more about Erica on "B Inspired" podcast found on your favorite podcast platform or in The Boyertown Expression .

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