“To paint is not to copy the object slavishly, it is to grasp a harmony among many relationships.”
— Paul Cézanne“In my Father’s house are many mansions:
if it were not so, I would have told you.”
— Gospel of John, 14:2
It was quite an honor yesterday to receive a first place prize at the “Bourbon & Brushes” gallery event in Midway. To be honest, I was happiest with the recognition of collage as a legitimate painting medium for landscapes — an unconventional approach within the most grand tradition of representational art. The Bluegrass region of Kentucky is home to multiple landscape artists. I take inspiration from so many of them who excel in pastels, watercolors, acrylics, and oils. More than one of these artists were present among the Saturday lineup. One can have hope without expectations and place an outcome in the considerate response of the jurors. A salute to the other winners (some took home premium whiskey!), plus my sincere appreciation to the panel of volunteer judges and to the energetic organizers: Midway Art Studios, Bluegrass Distillers, and the charming City of Midway. On top of it, they tied the evening to an outstanding street festival which featured the live classic rock that can still stir my bones. (Every picture tells a story, don’t it?)
With the window of time offered by this challenge, I was able to spend a long Monday on location at Elkwood Farm pasting an interpretation of the setting near their home mansion (where a tasting room for Bluegrass Distillers is housed), to complete the piece in my studio by the Thursday night deadline, and then to make a Friday delivery. My composition includes a “portrait” of a prominent misshapen tree, but the eye is drawn to the stately dwelling. I think I was successful in my attempt to include only the essential ingredients to grasp the character of the historic brick structure. At any rate, I won’t quibble with the jury’s verdict!
Many a Mansion
collage painting by J A Dixon
11 x 14 inches + wood frame, crafted by the artist
available for purchase
• First Place Prize