My colorful watercolor “Puppy Love” is a winner again, just chosen as 1st Place in the Community Artists League 2025 Open Show in Athens TN. The painting was selected from 84 artworks in all media, submitted by 32 artists. The juror weighed overall composition, contrast, use of medium, proportion, and other design criteria in chosing the award winner. The show is beautifully displayed at the Living Heritage Museum, Athens TN, through May 29th, 2025.
"Puppy Love" was also recently one of 4 People's Choice award winners at the 2025 Art Show of the Art Guild of Tellico Village.
As a reference photo I used one of my many photos of my Maggie Mae, taken on the day we adopted her from the local animal shelter as a 7 lb. puppy. Hands down, she gets the prize for being the most difficult puppy we ever raised! There is a long list of items she chewed and destroyed; we can laugh now, like with the garden hose she pulled across the driveway and chomped on, effectively turning it into a soaker hose. Finally, at age 2, Maggie calmed down and became a love. She has been inspiration for many of my paintings, in acrylics, watercolors and scratchboards. I love capturing the expression in her big eyes, and she makes cute poses for me. Now 12 years old, Maggie is delighted about her awards!
