WELCOME TO THE
5TH ANNUAL
BEST IN SHOW EVENT 2026
This special event has been established to honour and showcase the Best In Show winners from 2025.
The Best In Show winning artworks are shown below in chronological order,
along with the respective artist's statement.
Thank you to these thirteen exceptional artists for sharing their talent and artistic vision!
ENJOY THE SHOW!
** THREE BEST OF 2025 DIAMOND AWARDS HAVE BEEN SELECTED**
THE FIRST WINNER IS:
NETTA GANOR
**BEST OF 2025 DIAMOND AWARD**
* AS WE ARE *
(By courtesy of The Association Of Mouth And Foot Painting Artists Worldwide)
Oil
** JUROR'S COMMENTARY **
“AS WE ARE is true love — caught at its sweetest — on canvas. We are spellbound by the endearing atmosphere in this small picture with a very big heart. A man and woman lean in to each other in a loving and playful gesture — complete with touching heads, locked eyes and beaming smiles — to share a private moment of mutual adoration and deep connection. We forget our manners and watch without any attempt of concealment — but not to worry — the couple is oblivious of our presence — so we continue to stare dreamily, absorbing the loving and affectionate vibrations perfectly captured in their facial expressions and body language — until suddenly and almost without notice, the purpose of our staring shifts — our eyes are on a painting! We explore the canvas with voracious attention — hair, hands, facial features, clothing — and delight in the assiduous and accurate execution in this sincere and infectious artwork. Then, as if this isn’t enough — we are told it was painted by mouth. Unbelievable." — GALLERY RING
BEST IN SHOW EVENT 2026
(LISTED CHRONOLOGICALLY)
LINDA MCCORD
**SAPPHIRE ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2022**
GREEN
JANUARY 2025
"A MEMORY AGO"
Alcohol ink
“Return To Nature — my new series using alcohol ink — is about taking a fresh look at the things we neglect to see every day; the vibrant, sensual colors that reflect the seasons as they change; the leaves falling and plants withering as cold and dry seasons approach. I like the challenge of discovering new ways of creating art. Alcohol ink, my newest medium, is dye rather than paint, so the results are vivid colors and transparency.” — LINDA MCCORD
MB MOSK
CITY
JANUARY 2025
"THE 405 ALTAR PIECE"
Oil
“We created a new persona, (MB Mosk) when we began collaborating, separate from our individual studio practices. These works are a curious hybrid only slightly resembling our own work. The process attempts to create a seamless blending to appear as a single artist has produced the painting. We draw on our shared approach to looking at the peculiar nature of people and the world. Our sense of irony and humor is a vehicle to allude to a deeper meaning below the surface.” — MB Mosk
CLAUDIA PUNTER
NATURE
MARCH 2025
OLEG LIPCHENKO
ABSTRACT
APRIL 2025
"MEDITATION AT THE END OF TIME"
Graphite
“My approach is symbolic, surreal and metaphysical and my style
is plastically refined with an emphasis on expression.” — OLEG LIPCHENKO
NETTA GANOR
ANYTHING
APRIL 2025
* AS WE ARE *
By courtesy of The Association Of Mouth And Foot Painting Artists Worldwide
Oil
“Painting is where I find my independence. Without the use of my hands, the brush in my mouth becomes an extension of myself, allowing me creative freedom to shape the world the way I want it to be. My style is romantic-realistic, focusing on emotion and capturing intricate details that portray the beauty I discover in my surroundings. I enjoy painting my family and the experiences of motherhood with a physical challenge. With a palette of bold, saturated hues, my optimistic artworks reflect a positive outlook on life. I am drawn to figurative painting - people, gestures and expressions - because to me, a painting without human presence often feels incomplete. Through my paintings, I also challenge perceptions of disability, showing that life with a disability can be full, rich and meaningful.” — NETTA GANOR
FERNANDO ROBLES
PEOPLE
MAY 2025
* THE QUIET MONK *
Oil
“In the quiet of my heart, I listen. Though I am young, the stillness teaches me more than words ever could. Wrapped in the sacred red of my robes, I learn to surrender my restless thoughts to something greater. The world beyond these walls is vast, yet I find my universe within — in patience, in wonder, in prayer. In this simple moment of reflection, I begin to understand the timeless path of peace, compassion and awakening.” — FERNANDO ROBLES
LINDA MCCORD
**SAPPHIRE ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2022**
BLUE
JUNE 2025
* FEELING BLUE *
Alcohol ink
“My abstract work in acrylic and alcohol ink is driven by instinct, experimentation and a deep fascination with color and composition. I begin with a strong structural foundation — often using classical forms like diagonals or S-curves — then allow the materials to guide the rest. Alcohol ink offers fluidity and surprise, while acrylic provides control and texture. Together, they create a balance between spontaneity and design. I’m constantly experimenting with paint formulas and tools, using palette knives, sticks and even toothpicks to manipulate the surface. Each piece is a visual journey — an emotional landscape built on value, rhythm and movement. I don’t start with a fixed outcome in mind; instead, I respond to the energy of the process, layer by layer. These abstracts are about freedom, balance and discovery. They invite the viewer to feel rather than interpret, to get lost in color and to find structure within the chaos.” — LINDA MCCORD
KALIB BRYAN
ALIVE
JULY 2025
* THE SOUND OF WATER *
Digital art
“As a visual artist, my vision is to explore the emotion and beauty of our world. I combine mobile technology with natural elements, while experimenting with AI and other graphic effects to turn everyday settings into cinematic and serene dreamscapes. My goal is to capture compelling narratives about the solitude of life as I surprise people with enchanting places. The world is a mysterious place and I want to open up a whole new world that draws a line between the ordinary and the extraordinary.” — KALIB BRYAN
PAUL J. COLLINS
LAND WATER SKY
AUGUST 2025
* ANCIENT ANCHORAGE AT LOW TIDE *
Photography
“As a landscape photographer I’m inspired by nature and all its manifestations combining my passion for photography with my love of the outdoors which gives me a calmness of spirit and an affinity with the land. When I’m in a place which may be unfamiliar or one which I have decided to revisit I will observe everything around me with expectation. There are times when the beauty of the land is enhanced by magical lighting or a dramatic sky. These are the moments I continually strive to capture. Very often they are fleeting. When I venture out to create photographs there are no preconceived ideas in my head but I try to choose those times of the day when the lighting is favourable, working with what nature offers, understanding its unpredictability and applying the technical skills I have learned.” — PAUL J. COLLINS
GABRIELE GRACINE
**EMERALD ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2021**
RED
AUGUST 2025
* BEFORE COLOR REMEMBERS *
Digital
“I'm a self-taught digital artist. My process is a proprietary technique I constantly explore and enhance. I'm an intuitive artist, feeling guided by an inner muse leading me through uncharted territories of artistry as I spontaneously relinquish control, allowing ideas to flow naturally and freely, unconditionally trusting the process. I begin each artistic exploration with anticipation and enthusiasm, pursuing shapes, patterns, colors, light, shadow and texture as my images gradually evolve. I invite mystery, surprise and delight to my artwork. I hope to surpass mere visual appreciation and leave a powerful lasting impression. I strive to connect with the viewer, evoke emotions, provoke thought and inspire introspection and personal interpretation. I seek to challenge perceptions of reality and encourage others to see the world through a different lens by presenting a seamless blend of cutting-edge technology and creativity.”
— GABRIELE GRACINE
JAY JOHANSEN
**SAPPHIRE ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2024**
OPEN
SEPTEMBER 2025
* ECHOES OF POWELL STREET *
Acrylic
“My art explores identity, emotion and legacy. Through portraits I capture not just likeness but essence, using bold palettes and textures to evoke nostalgia, intrigue and reflection inviting viewers to connect with deeper stories. Legacy, history & experience — that’s what makes the story telling, by way of oil & acrylic mediums — approachable, relevant & enduring.” — JAY JOHANSEN
SANDRA GSCHNELL
ANIMAL
NOVEMBER 2025
* CHARLIE *
Charcoal
“My artwork explores the emotional connections between humans and animals, focusing on moments that reveal shared intelligence and tenderness. Inspired by the TV series “Our Charlie”, this piece portrays a young chimpanzee caught in a quiet, reflective gesture. His expression suggests thoughtfulness: a glimpse of consciousness that feels both familiar and mysterious. Through Charlie, I seek to evoke empathy and curiosity, inviting viewers to pause and recognize the depth of feeling present in other beings. My practice centers on storytelling through expressive realism, using subtle gestures and emotion to blur the line between humanity and nature. This piece is a meditation on awareness and connection — a reminder that reflection, compassion and understanding exist beyond words and that sometimes the simplest gestures can hold the greatest meaning.” — SANDRA GSCHNELL
JAY JOHANSEN
**SAPPHIRE ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2024**
COLOUR
DECEMBER 2025
* THE SILENCE SHE WORE *
Acrylic
“My art explores identity, emotion and legacy. Through portraits I capture not just likeness but essence, using bold palettes and textures to evoke nostalgia, intrigue and reflection inviting viewers to connect with deeper stories. Legacy, history & experience — that’s what makes the story telling, by way of oil & acrylic mediums — approachable, relevant & enduring.” — JAY JOHANSEN