Gold Medal Show - 2019

Walter Monastyretsky, "A  Day at the Golf Course"

Who is this guy with the tight lips,  sharp stare, and straw hat?

Looks like he could even be the owner of that golf course - or maybe a fleet of refrigerated trucks,  or perhaps a hockey  team.  He's got to be some kind of  big shot in that glowing city off in the distance.

Definitely a  Republican.

This is the national moment for high rolling businessmen - and this is a great painting of that moment.

It's my pick for this year's gold medal.             

Sako Okaden, "Pascal"

I'm always  partial to portraits of important people -- and who is more important than the person who picks up after us?

Jesssica Smit Mattingly

I feel a lot of drama in this economically painted scene.

Has the lady just learned that her husband is stepping out on her?

Stuart Fullerton

(THIRD PRIZE)

Helen Oh

Usually, it's  really disappointing when an artist displays a piece that has already been shown.

But not this piece!

It remains refreshing.

John Jacobsen, "Crows and Civilization"

Can't figure this one out.

Are Adam and Eve starting out all over again?

It looks kind of ominous.
Paradise is not what it used to be.

Jacobsen is a PHD in Physics with a rather remarkable resume

 that includes ten trips to the south pole.

I'm glad he's painting.

Andrew Conklin

Here's another puzzler.

One possible interpretation:

Figurative painting is taking a break,
while the artist paints a still life.

Barbara Ansell

(We've also seen this piece before).

Chad Aldrin

Here are two very different, but charming landscapes that might exemplify the difference  between Impressionist and post-impressionist ( or self-taught ? ) painting.

Debra Balchen

Creates a mood rather than fills a space.

Nancie King Mertz

Errol Jacobson

(SECOND PRIZE)

Here's a couple of cityscapes that make for a good comparison,

and not just because Nancie painted Chicago and Errol depicted Paris.

Jose Zendejas

Lenin Del Sol

(GOLD MEDAL)

Originally intended as some kind of fantasy illustration, 

it also tragically depicts a  model who took her own life last year.

Lenore Murphy

Leonid Osseny

I didn't really need to see this painting again  -- but apparently it has been turning the subject into a local legend who was recently accosted by two women on a train platform who saw this portrait at the Skokie public library.

Pat Brutchin

Like Degas' dancers, this one reminds us that these are

 strong, tough young women, as well as nimble creatures of fantasy.

Rich Morrow

Another real head scratcher.

Something about fourteen cats and eleven Roman columns.

(by way of  explanation, Mr. Morrow clarified that there are 21 cats and 14 columns)

Stacey Street

Stephanie   Weidner

Tim Leeming

I can just imagine Tim's joy when he came across this bountiful, 

 over-stuffed dumpster in an Oak Park alley.

(correction: it's the alley just north of Madison in Forest Park.
I bike down that alley quite frequently on trips to the hardware store.
I'll have to check it out next time)

Tom Zamiar

Val Yachik,  "Fate"

Does Val identify with the spider or the fly ?

This piece is good and creepy.

Adele Friedman