I was honoured to be the juror for the PAC’S 29th Annual On-line Exhibition. The quality of submissions was impressive and made the selection process both challenging and inspiring. The  variety of approaches, techniques and subjects reminded me of how versatile and expressive this medium can be, and why I love it so much.

As I juried this exhibition I looked for several things. I value a strong composition, well observed drawing, a clear focal point, a colour palette that accurately captures the mood, and a value pattern that guides me comfortably through the image. Alone these elements are not quite enough; I also seek an emotional engagement through colour and simplicity of form. This kind of connection emerges when an artist trusts themself to paint beyond the confines of the photo and draw inspiration from their own experience and interpretations. I find that art that walks the line between observation and expression creates a deeper connection with the audience. As a viewer, there is room to bring your own experiences to the piece, or to be graciously allowed to sense what the artist is thinking without feeling like an intruder.

Some pieces captured this kind of expression and engagement in a few abstracted strokes, and other images were so realistically rendered I thought I could reach out and touch the surface. After viewing hundreds of images, the pieces that I selected as winners were the ones that wouldn’t leave my mind. With some images I knew instantly why I loved them, others surprised me by their slow but real impact on me as I went about my day. When a piece continues to return to my thoughts, it means it got me. This is how I buy art, this is what I want people to feel when they see my art, and this is how I juried this show.

Congratulations to everyone who submitted work. It’s a wonderful show.

Thank-you,
Jessica