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PASTEL &  COLOURED PENCIL
March 2022

BEST IN SHOW
"INTENT"
KERI FISHER
Pastel (16 x 12 inches)
Price on request
kerifisher2@gmail.com


BIOGRAPHY
Keri Fisher is a realism artist from Saskatchewan, Canada who currently resides near Ottawa, Ontario.  She completed both a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in both Biology and Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and a Master of Science degree in Geology.  While living in Delaware, USA, she picked up photography as a hobby and began photographing the native wildlife.  This hobby expanded into her travels and she was able to photograph wildlife all over the world, which has served as inspiration for her pastel and acrylic artwork.  Fisher's art has been accepted into juried exhibitions of the Society Of Canadian Artists and the International Guild of Realism.  She was honoured to receive the award for "Best Wildlife and Animal" category for the IGOR 2021 Spring Salon Exhibition.  Additionally, several of her wildlife photographs have been published in various issues of Canadian Geographic magazine.

FEATURE INTERVIEW

GR - It is interesting that someone with degrees in Science would also be so creative with both photography and art.   How do the scientific and artistic elements of your nature and life commingle and support each other?  Is one more dominant?  Is one possibly an act of rebellion against the other?    



KF - I was far more into art when I was a kid.  I would constantly draw - mostly dinosaurs and my pets because I loved them so much!  I had a lot of pets growing up, which taught me respect for animals and gave me a sense of wonder about them.  In high school, I wanted to become an artist until one day our art teacher told our class, "don't bother becoming a professional artist because very few people can turn art into a lucrative career."  My impressionable, young mind assumed she knew what she was talking about and I turned to my other passion: biology.  
I put art on the back burner to complete a Bachelor of Science degree followed by a Master of Science in geology. During this chapter of my life, it was difficult finding the time for art and I had assumed I lost my artistic ability.  The urge to work on my art finally outweighed that worry in late 2019.  I realized it was important to take the time to paint seriously again...even if it wasn't going to turn into anything lucrative.  
My academic career focused on evolution, anatomy and ecology of organisms, so understanding the intricate anatomy and the physiology of each subject has been instrumental in achieving realism in my pieces.  I'm not sure my art would be as good if it wasn't for my scientific background.  They go hand-in-hand.



GR - Your cherished encounters with wildlife have directly affected your art regarding subject matter.  What makes you continue past the photograph?   Do you wish to be more intimate with the animals or to open communication with them again in some way?


KF - I paint the moments at which I made a connection with my subjects because it takes me back to that encounter and helps me relive the sense of awe I felt at the time.  To me, there's nothing more incredible and exhilarating than being able to see wildlife in its natural environment and on its own terms.  It's comforting to remember that feeling.



GR - What is the desired outcome from your audience?  Do you feel successful in this aspect?


KF - I want the audience to feel the connection I did at the time I photographed the animal.  Additionally, I am a fan of photo-realism and hyper-realism and always try to strive for both in my work.  If viewers do a double-take after finding out my piece isn't a photograph and they feel connected to the subject, then I feel like I succeeded.



GR - "Intent" demonstrates astounding skill with pastel.  You captured the lion's expression perfectly and the viewer is tempted to reach out to touch his furry face.  What led you toward pastel and what is your background regarding art training?


KF - I have always felt extremely comfortable with pencils so when I started painting seriously again I started with wax-based coloured pencils.  It was a good starting point but I was unable to obtain the blending I needed for realistic fur.  From there I went to oil-based pencils, which I still occasionally enjoy but it didn't allow for the many layers I needed.  This is when I tried pastel pencils and I have stuck with them ever since.  Pastels blend beautifully and I can add layer after layer to achieve the depth I need with no problems!  
I have no formal academic background in art training.  Everything I have learned has been on my own using trial and error.



GR - Are the lion's power, personality and presence intensified and revealed to you as the picture slowly develops?  Is a bond formed and an understanding reached?


KF - Yes.  I always leave the face for last and build up to the eyes.  The eyes hold the most power.  When I'm starting to get tired of working on a piece, completing the face and eyes give me that last push of excitement to finish because both have to be perfectly executed otherwise it will look slightly off.  Only then can I look at a piece I've done and know I've done the animal - and the encounter - justice.



GR - Any plans to explore different subject matter in the future?  It would be intriguing to see your talent and devotion to detail applied to still life as well for example.


KF - Not yet.  Nothing moves me the way wildlife does.  I appreciate still life and the artists who excel at it but it's not something that excites me.  Fur and eyes are something I love painting because they both constantly challenge me as an artist.


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DIAMOND AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
"NOYAN"
CARINA IMBROGNO
Pastel (27 x 19 inches)
caimbrogno@yahoo.com


RUBY AWARD
"WAR PAINT"
CHERYL TENN
Coloured pencil (20 x 16 inches)
Price on request
cheryltenn@gmail.com


EMERALD AWARD
"A HIGHER VANTAGE POINT"
LUCY WEBSTER
Coloured pencil (12 x 8 inches)
lucywebster-art@hotmail.com



SAPPHIRE AWARD
"ARIEL"
DARLENE HARTUNG
Coloured pencil (17 x 14 inches)
SOLD
darlene@anartistforhire.ca



CRYSTAL AWARD
(in random order)
DIANE MASEK-BLOW
"AFTER THE LOSS"
Coloured pencil (14 x 11 inches)





GABRIELA THIECKE
"GIRL WITH A BLUE FAN"
Coloured pencil (14 x 10 inches)
Price on request
gabrielas-art@hotmail.com





CARINA IMBROGNO
"JULIUS DRINKING LEMONADE"
Pastel (20 x 17 inches)
caimbrogno@yahoo.com




PAULINE CLAY
"DRAMA QUEEN"
Coloured pencil (12 x 12 inches)
$750.00
paulineclayart@gmail.com

AWARD OF MERIT
(in random order)
CHERYL TENN
"BOBCAT FOREST"
Coloured pencil (14 x 11 inches)
Price on request
cheryltenn@gmail.com






BJ KAMLER
"UPPER ANTELOPE CANYON"
Coloured pencil (10 x 8 inches)
$295.00
questions@bjkamler.com






KERI FISHER
"HARVEST"
Pastel (16 x 12 inches)
Price on request
kerifisher2@gmail.com

CINDY ROTHERY
"LAZY DAY"
Coloured pencil (9 x 12 inches)
HONOURABLE  MENTION
(in random order)
NORM ELLIS
"FANTASY 21"
Coloured pencil (11 x 14 inches)
$500.00
nellis2996@twc.com





KATELYN CASULA
"SUPERLUNARY BEING"
Coloured pencil (11 x 14 inches)
$65.00





FIONA FOX
"THE EYES HAVE IT"
Coloured pencil (12 x 9 inches)





JANNA SHULRUFER
"ANCIENT EGYPT 2"
Pastel (26 x 20 inches)
Price on request
shulr.juana@gmail.com




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