1st Annual ISAP Signature Members Online Exhibition

June 16 - August 31, 2008

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Artist's Statement | Juror's Statement

Juror: Lana L. Grow

Artist’s Statement

Essential to my painting process is combining layers of color, line, texture, and collage. Being immersed in nature at home or in travel has provided new and exciting venues for my paintings. My goal is to celebrate, interpret, explore evolving images, provide mystery, incorporate symbolic references and in doing so, encourage the viewer to tap into his/her own spirit and creativity. I strive for an expressive and soulful perspective in my paintings rather than an intellectual one.

Experimenting and trying new ways to work in water media has kept me excited and enthusiastic about working as an artist. I have always loved the flow and vibrancy of water media. My search to find the best way to express my spirit in my art has been a fun, exciting and sometimes an exasperating journey. I never really swallowed the idea of following "the rules." It never seemed to be a creative option. My inquisitive nature has helped me seek new ways to express my vision in my work. I often work on several paintings at one time applying layers of color and texture. I use anything I can think of to bring about a painting that will communicate my emotional expression and response to my visual stimulation. Sometimes I have a subject in mind and other times I have nothing except color and shape. The forgiving nature of acrylic combined with collage has given me the solutions I have needed to complete the language of my work.

Signature Member:

• American Watercolor Society—AWS
• International Society of Experimental Artists—ISEA
• Society of Layerists in Multi Media—SLMM

See the bottom of this page for sample images of Lana's work. You can see these and other images at http://www.artshow.com/grow/play.html. In addition, an Internet search will reveal Lana's substantial presence on the Web; the inquiry will be well worth the effort!

Juror's Statement

My Criteria for Judging

• Initial impression
• Originality
• Expertise of the medium
• Good design, composition with contrast

I am so honored and pleased to be asked to judge the ISAP Signature Members Show. There were many wonderful pieces of art worthy of praise and awards. Many of the pieces showed a high degree of skill and authenticity. I found the venue of fine art in a digital format somewhat challenging because size and texture often play an important part in viewing art.

I started the judging with my gut instinct, choosing what most appealed to me. I spent many hours selecting, eliminating, and selecting again based on the number of awards available. Remember always (and the veterans know this), it is all a personal opinion. I then began to examine each piece on technical skill, composition, and use of the elements and principles of design.

There were several questions I asked as I viewed each piece: “Was it something I have seen before? When I saw the piece, did it stop me? Did I care to look more than once? Did it give me a reaction? Was it an authentic vision? I love a unique view of a boring subject. If it was, did it grab me? If it has ghost images, does it WOW me?”

In addition, I looked for the deeper things. I love mystery, simplicity, intrigue, and a perfectly rendered painting with experimental qualities. When viewing a painting, if I see the technique first and the painting second, the piece has little interest for me. Color dominance with contrast is needed more than texture in a good composition. I look for a good design that leads me into the painting, entertains me, and leads me out.

I would like to give a word of advice regarding digital imagery: before you send in your initial entry, be sure to observe your piece on how it will show on a 14 to 17 inch screen. You will immediately pick up on the fact that it shows little value change or contrast; unfortunately, subtle contrasts usually don’t show.

Be proud of your work, believe in yourself, and by all means, keep painting.

Most Sincerely,

Lana Grow AWS

Paintings by Lana Grow

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