WELCOME TO THE
4TH ANNUAL
BEST IN SHOW EVENT 2025
This special event has been established to honour and showcase the Best In Show winners from 2024.
Each artist was invited to enter two new works of art for a chance to win
one of three available Diamond Awards of Excellence.
The Best In Show winning artworks are shown below in chronological order,
along with the respective artist's two new artworks, biography and statement.
Thank you to these thirteen exceptional artists for sharing their talent and artistic vision!
Enjoy the show!!
LINDA MCCORD
**SAPPHIRE ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2022**
COLOURFUL
JANUARY 2024
BEST IN SHOW
* Bifocals *
Acrylic
BIOGRAPHY
Linda McCord lives in Washington State. She works in most two-dimensional media and creates abstract and realism work. She has taken international awards too numerous to list including the prestigious MiKiHASi Memories Gold Award in 2022, a film and exhibition for her watercolor series, In the 90's.
ARTIST STATEMENT
“My art is an expression of an inner need to escape and find a place where I can go on a creative journey whether it is to become a different person, to see beauty in my surroundings or to travel to a different place. I love taking the viewer on a journey through my art from the starting point, resting on the focal point then traveling on to enjoy each nuance along the way.” — LINDA MCCORD
ROBERT BOLLA
**EMERALD ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2024**
WORLD
FEBRUARY 2024
BEST IN SHOW
* My Favorite International Travel Location,
Torres Del Paines National Park
Chile, Patagonia *
Photography
BIOGRAPHY
Bob Bolla is retired and lives in St. Louis, MO. He is a self-trained photographer with some mentoring in film and archival darkroom techniques. Bob used his photography in research and teaching during an academic career in Biology. He now uses digital photography to engage the viewer in the relationship of the arts and sciences. His main interest is ethnographic photography. His other interests are in nature, wildlife and landscape photography. Bob uses digital painting and often prints portraits using archival orotype print for his ethnographic projects. He is actively involved in multimedia art competitions nationally and internationally. He has had exhibitions in Eurobiotech in Poznan, Poland, in the Peoria Artist Guild, St. Louis Artist Guild in addition to several solo and curated exhibitions locally and nationally.
ARTIST STATEMENT
“My photography is my novel used to teach the viewer to use his or her imagination to gain an understanding of the relationship between the arts and sciences. I develop my ethnographic projects to ask the viewer to see how peoples all have the same goals in life, goals driven by culture. I direct my landscape, nature and wildlife projects toward my viewers developing a story in their imaginations of how animals might behave within their environment or how landscape often shapes our lives. In retirement photography has become my way of finding a new way to teach — less verbal and more visual — letting the “student” use his or her imagination to learn.” — ROBERT BOLLA
NELL-LYNN PERERA
**SAPPHIRE ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2023**
**CRYSTAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2022**
ABSTRACT
MARCH 2024
BEST IN SHOW
* Metamorphosis *
Acrylic
BIOGRAPHY
Nell-Lynn Perera is a self-taught, multidimensional abstract artist and poet. Her artistic process originates from having Chromesthesia. Nell-Lynn started painting as she was compelled to do her part when the tsunami hit Japan in 2011. She calls this an epiphanic moment. “All my life I’ve had to believe in myself, first. I went about things quietly without seeking approval from people. Having schooled in a convent for eleven years with many rules and with parents who were also strict, I’ve tried to liberate myself from all the conditioning that I was subjected to.” Nell-Lynn has participated in group shows in London (2019), Lisbon (2015) and New York City (both shows in 2015 and a 3rd show in 2017) and has won multiple awards and recognitions in international art competitions. “Painting is liberating for me. It is an act of defiance.”
Nell-Lynn is currently at work on her second solo show.
ARTIST STATEMENT
“As a Chromesthete, I’m only aware of what’s before me. I unconsciously paint emotions derived from a single piece of music which I listen to on loop while painting. The music tells me what to do rather than my hands and my mind. Colours and movement which I see and feel from that piece of music are translated onto paper or canvas. I insist on not adhering to conformity in every aspect of my life and I challenge myself to explore new methods in abstract painting. My favourite media are watercolour and acrylic. Both offer me different challenges and different ways of painting. My work has evolved over the years, giving me that freedom that I seek from life. This is how I've continued to stay true to myself without allowing others to dictate my work. While I paint, I lose myself and my ego which I find self-liberating.”
— NELL-LYNN PERERA
NORM ELLIS
ALIVE
APRIL 2024
BEST IN SHOW
* Fantasy 61 *
Mixed media
BIOGRAPHY
Norm Ellis’s career in the Mechanical Engineering field has spanned over forty-six years. He started as a draftsman on a drawing board to a mechanical design engineer using 3D CAD. He spent several years as a technical illustrator for manuals. He has written, illustrated, photographed and published forty-seven articles in trade, technical and flying magazines. He studied art at Orange Coast College, the University of California Irvine and Coastline Community College. He has exhibited his work in the following countries:
USA, Canada, Spain, Switzerland, Georgia and Hong Kong.
ARTIST STATEMENT
“The imaginary component in my work is inspired by my observations of nature, Native American culture prior to the 1800’s and the experiences I have had in the world about me. I fell in love with Surrealism because it is limitless in dimension. It allows me the freedom to create what is in my heart. I am creating a visual communication with the world that words alone cannot express. I enjoy the use of empty spaces, so the imagination is not confined.” -- NORM ELLIS
BOB MOSKOWITZ
ANYTHING
MAY 2024
BEST IN SHOW
* Rosie At Her Easel *
Oil
ARTIST STATEMENT
“If there is power in the mundane, I attempt to record moments of human significance in the commonplace. The work suggests aspects of the human condition in context with the subject’s culture which can be revealed through observation and a peeling back of the layers. Although the subjects mask their emotions and feelings, close observation begins to reveal the specifics of content and meaning. The viewer is a participant in the un-masking of the innermost and universal motivations of people who would otherwise be un-observed and ignored.” — BOB MOSKOWITZ
TOMAS LAGUNAVICIUS
BLUE
JUNE 2024
BEST IN SHOW
* Blue A Color Often Associated With Trust,
Reliability And Loyalty 1 *
Digital
ARTIST STATEMENT
“I am an interdisciplinary artist who specializes in digital and performance art. My vision is meta-conceptualism. It is important for me to create a concept first then represent it. Since 2006 I have been creating visual art objects such as installations, paintings, photographs, digital art and so on. I consider myself a post-matrix person, which is a person who has many selves. I do not try to suppress any of my selves. For example, I may be a painter and I may be a psychologist and I may be a marketer. All of them need to be given time, space and energy to excel in their fields. There isn’t a contradiction between them and there may not be a connection. They can exist side by side at the same time. The rational self of the marketer may have nothing to do with the sentimental self of the writer.” — TOMAS LAGUNAVICIUS
JOHANN ERNST
FLOWER
JUNE 2024
BEST IN SHOW
* What About You *
Digital
BIOGRAPHY
Johann Ernst is a retired engineer, who lives in a suburb of Stuttgart, Germany. He came late to art after someone took the trouble to teach him how to draw. Based on this, he has constantly worked on his ability to express himself in more sophisticated works of art. Since mid-2022 (starting at the Gallery Ring COLOUR show where his artwork titled "Red Only" won a CRYSTAL AWARD) he has been taking part in various art shows with good success. He is looking forward to showing his best work on a website in 2025.
ARTIST STATEMENT
“In by far the most common case, I start my work with a drawing or a sketch — rarely with a photo — or just a combination of colours. What is not available in electronic form is scanned in. The further processing, which usually means a fierce struggle with colour and form, is done with an image editing program. By doing this work completely committed to sincerity and truth, I finally reach a level of awareness of my innermost self. That is the goal and that is the reward — and last but not least — the path to beauty.”
— JOHANN ERNST
JAY JOHANSEN
**SAPPHIRE ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2024**
PEOPLE
JULY 2024
BEST IN SHOW
* Spectrum Of Innocence *
Acrylic
BIOGRAPHY
Born in 1946 and raised by his artist-father in Oakland, California, portrait artist Jay Johansen, began his journey into the art world at a very young age. Painting ballerinas, matadors and Hawaiian dancers, Jay established an international collector base, ultimately leading to commissioned paintings of music icons, world dignitaries, as well as a long list of celebrity collectors. Using broad strokes, as distinct from his previous style, Jay enjoys a freedom he's never felt as a professional artist. Imbued with an energy of renewal, Jay is creating art with the verve he had as a child in his father's studio.
ARTIST STATEMENT
“My art is a journey into identity, emotion, and cultural legacy. Over the years, I have sought to move beyond representation, creating works that capture the essence of my subjects and the shared human experience. Portraiture has been my foundation, connecting me with iconic figures like Nelson Mandela and Colin Powell. However, my artistic journey continues to evolve, embracing oceanic themes and abstract interpretations that blend the familiar with the unexpected. Texture and color are central to my storytelling. Whether through bold, vibrant palettes or subtle monochromes, each stroke and layer reflects thought and emotion. My aim is to evoke nostalgia, intrigue and connection, encouraging viewers to see beyond the surface. Art, to me, is not only what is seen but what is felt, remembered and questioned. Each canvas is an invitation to pause, reflect and explore the layers that connect us all.” — JAY JOHANSEN
JENNIFER DOWD
BIRDS
AUGUST 2024
BEST IN SHOW
* Whatcha Lookin At? *
Photography
BIOGRAPHY
An avid creative photographer from British Columbia, Jennifer has been immersed in photography her entire life. From snow-capped peaks to lush forests and serene coastal vistas, her lens captures the essence of this beautiful province. Growing up surrounded by nature, she developed a deep passion for storytelling through visuals. Jennifer blends her adventurous spirit with a sharp eye for detail, producing images that reflect both the breathtaking scenery and the emotions in each frame. Whether navigating dense forests or feeling the coastal winds, she finds inspiration in the untamed beauty around her. With a camera as her constant companion, Jennifer invites viewers on a visual journey, sharing her profound connection to the landscapes she calls home.
ARTIST STATEMENT
“Photography transports me to a meditative state, where the world halts and my entire being is immersed in a focused, present moment. As I capture images, time seems to stand still, allowing me to transcend into a flow state. The act of photographing becomes a profound meditation, pulling me away from the hustle of daily life. In this suspended reality, my senses heighten, attuned to the subtle details of my surroundings. Each click of the camera serves as a gateway to mindfulness, anchoring me in the now. Through the lens, I find solace and connection with the beauty that often goes unnoticed. It is in these suspended moments that I discover the profound and transformative power of photography as a medium for both artistic expression and personal introspection.” — JENNIFER DOWD
MARJORIE MOSKOWITZ
OPEN
SEPTEMBER 2024
BEST IN SHOW
* Denver *
Oil
ARTIST STATEMENT
“My current oil paintings of colorful, engaging but otherwise overlooked and isolated flora are magnified to reveal their importance. My subject matter is discovered from remote to obvious locations across the country. Coming from an orientation in abstraction, my choice to work in a close-focus, hyper-realistic style remains ever mindful of the abstraction that exists in nature. These paintings examine mark making and the nuances of color and light in nature. This process involves the close observation of many aspects of landscape and the amplification of these images. They magnify a moment in time and in nature, when plants are at the peak of their reproductive cycle and are fully asserting their seductive beauty/perfection/ splendor/ripeness. The focus has been on select blooms to show the importance of their smallest components.” — MARJORIE MOSKOWITZ
PEGGY CURTIS
RED
SEPTEMBER 2024
BEST IN SHOW
* Lazy Lily *
Photography
BIOGRAPHY
Peggy Olafson Curtis was born in Seattle, USA and grew up in nearby regions during the turbulent Sixties. Her love of photography began with a film camera and a high school course in photography — her first inspiration was a shot of her father removing a can of soup from a kitchen cupboard followed by his watery image looking back at her in the darkroom developing tray. Artistic inspiration came a few years later during a two-year residence in Japan where she became immersed in the Japanese aesthetic after visiting the Empress Meiji’s iris garden on a glorious rainy day. Before her stretched a row of shiny black umbrellas as visitors meandered along the garden path. Gardeners in black reflective rain gear waded among the iris plants snipping spent blossoms. She was hooked on beauty. She has studied with the best of the best, including Sam Abell, J.P. Caponigro, Ben Willmore, Keron Psillas and Charlie Waite in intensive workshops and mentorships. Her work has been featured in Seattle and Santa Fe galleries.
She is a NANPA (The North American Nature Photography Association) member.
ARTIST STATEMENT
“I want to make images that transcend the literal—images that suggest a mood, a greater mystery, a timelessness. I find beauty in the most unlikely places: junkyards, abandoned buildings, wrecking yards, dead and dying flowers. For me, a photoshoot is a notepad that inspires me to discover the beauty in what I saw in that time and place.” — PEGGY CURTIS
A. DEBRA REICH SCHWALM
ANIMAL
OCTOBER 2024
BEST IN SHOW
* Artful Dodger *
Watercolour batik, wax
ARTIST STATEMENT
“I love the journey for the next inspiring image and how I can interpret, embellish and re-invent it. I use my own photography or find images that inspire me. Nature from the rural area in which I live provides lots of subject matter. Observing the drama of the light, color, shadow and reflection are the most important elements. Capturing the light is everything!” — A. DEBRA REICH SCHWALM
MICHAEL WAGNER
COLOUR
NOVEMBER 2024
BEST IN SHOW
* Wet Paint - Interaction of Colors (3) *
Photography
BIOGRAPHY
Born in Heidelberg in 1953 and fascinated by the fine arts from an early age, Michael used every free minute for artistic studies of social work at the Mannheim University and then concentrated entirely on the fine arts after completing his degree. He has been living and working as a freelance visual artist (self-taught) in Heidelberg since 1981. In the beginning he worked in the classical photographic style but over time this changed towards photographic abstraction.
ARTIST STATEMENT
“For me, photography is a means of poetic expression. I am interested in images that reveal something that goes beyond everyday experience, which raise questions instead of providing answers and evoke a meditative gaze rather than rationality. I like to use photography as an experimental medium. My aim here is not to depict but to visualize. In this way, I mainly make use of macro photography, motion blur and double exposure. These photographic means promote the ambiguity and complexity of my work. Basically, I am interested in the open picture; in a creative approach in which the aim is to create content that gives the viewer considerable scope for interpretation. This leeway is, so to speak, part of the creative process. This results in photographs that are ambiguous in a certain way and yet have a firm character and suggest a clear goal.” — MICHAEL WAGNER