Seacoast Artist Association Awards Best In Show And People’s Choice

Press release from Seacoast Artist Association:

June 21, 2022

Suzanne M. Kiszka Sheen has won the Best in Show Award for her work "Schools Out" at the Seacoast Artist Association’s June's Theme Show, "Call of the Wild”. “Three years into retirement and the pandemic offered the time to experiment with different mediums, applications and color,” said Suzanne. “Gyotaku, the technique used for ‘Schools Out’ is a 19th century Japanese method of printing fish to document a fisherman’s catch. The fish should be clean and firm. Initially I inserted paper into the gill cavity to create depth. I chose acrylic colors that reflected those of the ocean and painted one side of the fish. Using a paper that doesn’t shrink or tear I covered the fish and gently pressed and repeated. To create the illusion of movement, I drizzled Golden Iridescent Bronze horizontally and also on the fish eyes for enhancement. These schools of fish are eager to be out! I am so delighted to be a member of the SAA!”

Cheryl Sager won People’s Choice for her work "Loons on Trout Pond". This award is chosen by the attendees at the SAA’s monthly Second Friday artists receptions at the gallery in downtown Exeter. Cheryl tell us, “This pair of loons live on Trout Pond in Stoneham ME. I go there every year for a Women's Council in late August. The pond is very isolated, surrounded by woods and with Camp Susan Curtis on one end. In the night and early morning, the loons call. One of my favorite things to do there is kayak so I was out early in the day and they were there preening and eating. I was able to capture the image and during one of our painting sessions with (SAA member and watercolor artist/teacher) Doris Rice, I got up the nerve to try and paint the pair. I found capturing the color of the water, the white breast, shading, and reflection challenging but so worth the effort. I believed I captured the freeness and beauty of these ancient birds and that others feel it too.”

SAA Theme showsare open to members and non-members alike. Their next theme for August is “By the Sea”. “Whether your art is of Hampton beach filled with striped umbrellas and little kids in bathing suits or a boat ride through dark and white capped seas we want to see your vision of our wonderful seaside. The joy and energy that lives by the sea never fails to thrill. As artists we can do nothing better than share a bit of this beauty from our very special front seat view of the sea.” Drop off is Sat. Jul. 30, 10- 3. Reception is July 8, 5-7 and all are welcome.

See seacoastartist.org for entry form and more information.

The Seacoast Artist Association is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) and offers scholarships to graduating public high school seniors furthering their art study at college or university. Visit seacoastartist.org for more information and to donate. Follow them on Facebook for news and artist features. The gallery is at 130 Water St in historic downtown Exeter and is open Wed-Sat, 10-5 and Sunday 1-4 where you will always meet one of their exhibiting artists.

This press release was produced by Seacoast Artist Association. The views expressed here are the author's own.