AWS controversy resolved

Yesterday AWS issued an announcement regarding the controversy over the Gold Medal winner in the 2008 show. The artist has been required to return the medal and the cash award and is forbidden to enter any future AWS shows. The statement was lengthy and essentially said what everyone already knew: the AWS prospectus is clear on originality and medium, and artists who enter accept those terms when they sign their entry forms. Case closed. I can't help wondering what took them so long.

Blog discoveries

Making a Mark, Katherine Tyrell's blog, is interesting and informative, with in-depth discussion of art matters. Read her essay on Monet's grain stacks series. Don't miss her commentary on the AWS Gold Medal controversy.

Search her blog for "AWS" to find follow-up articles on the subject.

Ancient Artist: Developing an Art Career After 50 also has some interesting things to say about the controversy. Scroll Sue Favinger Smith's blog for other interesting posts.

AWS traveling show

On my way home from a meeting with my publisher in Cincinnati last Tuesday, I stopped in Middletown to see the American Watercolor Society show. I enjoyed it a great deal. Some of the work is very powerful, other pieces are more subtle. There was quite a bit of "mechanical" subject matter and abstract design. I was surprised not to see a single spectacular flower painting. On the whole, the show seems more bold than poetic, but there is no doubting the expertise of the artists in design and execution of watermedia. The controversial Gold Medal winner was pulled from the show before it came to Middletown. I don't think there has been any resolution to that matter yet. If the show should come to your area, don't miss it.