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Maryland Pastel Society

SHADES OF PASTEL, 2009 Award Winners

BETTY KNIGHT MEMORIAL AWARD FOR BEST STILL LIFE
Yes, that's correct: the juror chose this painting for the best still life award.

"Shore Houses"
by Jean Hirons

Comments by Richard McKinley regarding this selection:

This picture could be considered a landscape, a portrait, or a still life according to Mr. McKinley. "Still life is about planes and reflected light and buildings fit into that definition for me. The use of shapes and planes and sensitivity to surface are all well done and the counterpoint in the composition is dynamite. Patterns of light and dark are strong and the artist avoided being predictable by leaving the lower right corner unpainted. The artist was confident that the piece was complete."