There were many winners across all categories of the current CABBI 32nd Art Exhibition. It’s always interesting to know the background of the winning paintings and a bit about the artist.
Above: Joanne Barby's painting titled “Night Owl”.
Joanne Barby from Nelligen took out Fist Place in Pastel with her painting titled “Night Owl”.
Joanne visited Bird Land at Batehaven and did a series of sketches and took reference photos of the grey owl. She finished the winning pastel back at her studio at Nelligen from her reference material. She said, “Even though I work from my own photos and drawings, the finished painting takes on a life of its own.”
Working with PanPastels and soft pastels on Pastelmat paper is Joanne’s preferred choice of medium. This year will see her return again for the third time to America to run pastel workshops, in addition to the Gold Coast, Blue Mountains and Nelligen.
Art judge Judi Powers Thomson said of Joanne’s winning pastel “An evocative painting looking right into the owl’s eye. The owl looks tentative, perhaps a bit nervous being out before dark. The treatment of the feathers, the claws, the face and branch are wonderfully executed. The handling of all the colours brings to life an otherwise grey owl.”
Above: John Sharman's painting “Capertee Valley”.
John Sharman of Mogo took out first place in oil with his painting “Capertee Valley”. It is the second largest canyon in the world and is situated north of Lithgow. John painted plein air for about one hour and then produced the winning piece from that study back at his studio. Of painting he said “Good drawing is the strength of a realistic painter.” This is John’s first time exhibiting with CABBI. He began drawing as a child, and turned professional in 1980. He has sold numerous paintings over the years and built a solid reputation as an elite artist. He works from his gallery/studio at Mogo. Art judge Judi Power Thomson said of John’s winning painting, “Strong confident brushwork brings to life this now flowing creek caught in the middle of the mid day sun. The looseness in the foreground wonderfully captures the built up debris along the sandy bank while the sunlit areas of clay, lime green grass and trees add vitality to the work. The dark shadows in the foreground add depth to the work The Creative Arts Batemans Bay 32nd Annual Art and Craft Exhibition will remain open daily from 10am to 4pm until Sunday 15 January at the Batemans Bay High School, George Bass Drive, Batehaven. Cost of entry: Gold coin donation.
