The Artist Space Gallery is pleased to announce the opening of the third Portrait online Art Exhibition. Along with the selected artists, the jury selected award winners in the following art categories: painting, photography and digital art. The show displayed a variety of artistic styles and mediums: oil on canvas, acrylic, watercolor, colored pencil, scratchboard, alcohol ink, fiber, digital art and photography. Out of all submissions received 45 artworks were selected to be included in the exhibition.
Best of Show
Joseph Mandel
Short Biography and Statement
Joseph Mandel is a University of Michigan Graduate with a BFA and an internationally award-winning artist. He enjoys bringing character and a charming nature to all aspects of his artwork. Joseph draws his inspiration from classical sculpture, impressionistic art and the human form. He looks to artists like Alice Neel, Manet, Leonardo da Vinci, and Rodin (as well as many others) as guiding forces for his creative work. Joseph hopes that each viewer will take something unique from his work and he strives to simulate a personal experience through the viewing of his art. Joseph is always excited to create work and has significant experience with an array of mediums which makes him unusually versatile across the artistic realm. He has done compelling work in various media including painting, sculpture, graphic design and industrial design.
Painting Prize
Cher Pruys
Short Biography and Statement
Cher Pruys, ASAA SCA, IGOR, AAPL, CSAA, AMS, LMS, OSA, MAA, CFA, NOAPS, PSOA, AWA., AAOA. "To take my inner visions with my hands and create a work of art for you the viewer .... That is the ultimate in self expression." Cher Pruys was born in Regina. Over the years she lived in many places including Saskatoon, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Fort Frances, settling into her present home in Devlin, on the banks of the Rainy River with her husband Mark, 4 dogs and 2 cats. By age three, Cher was seldom found without a drawing tool in hand. She worked in pencil, charcoal and ink over the years, until, she picked up a paintbrush at the age of 35. Beginning with oil paints, she found her chosen mediums in acrylic, water color and gouache. Although self taught, her dedication and talent has seen her work juried into 647 International exhibits. She has won 969 awards for her work in the International Juried Exhibits. Her work has graced the covers of 3 books, 38 magazines, including The Best Of Acrylic Fall 2021, cover of the May 2022 Arabella Magazine, #20 Hyperrealism Magazine with “Girls Girls Girls”, & #21 with “The Young Cowboy”, Artists & Illustrators March 2024 & the latest Artistonish 2024 July edition. She has been featured in over 460 International publications. Cher's works have found a permanent home in private and public collections worldwide.
Drawing Prize
Lorna Hannett
Short Biography and Statement
lornaehannett@gmail.com
“I have always had a fascination for the beauty of nature and its many moods and elements. I also love to study people, adults and children alike, and try to capture each individual’s expressive nature in the portraits I do. I feel privileged to be able to express my love of nature and people through my artwork and hope in some small measure that it will bring a certain amount of pleasure to those who view it.” A self-taught artist, Lorna is one of the Founders of and for 5 years served as President of the International Society of Scratchboard Artists (ISSA) and has the designated status of Master Scratchboard Artist. (MSA) She has also shown with and won several awards with the ISSA, FCA (Federation of Canadian Artists), and the CIPA (Canadian Institute of Portrait Artists). She works in her home studio, in Blackfalds AB, Canada. Her work is in private and corporate collections around the world. You can see more of her artwork and follow her Facebook page “Scratchboard Art of Lorna Hannett”.
Digital Art Prize
A. Debra Reich Schwalm
Short Biography and Statement
An Arizona-based artist, A. Debra Reich Schwalm’s art is featured in galleries and has numerous won awards. Growing up in the Midwest, Deb has always found very creative ways to express herself within daily life whether it be home decorating, large mural painting or photography. She has studied and worked in Commercial Art, Graphic Design and has a degree in Web Design. Deb loves the journey to the next inspiring image and how she can interpret, embellish and re-invent it. She uses her own photography or finds other sources of inspiration.
Winners