 I had the privilege of being a juror in the Washington State Fair art show. Another oil painter and I viewed about 100 oil paintings and selected which ones would be in the show, which ones would be rejected, and which would be the first, second, and third place winners. Below is me standing next to the winner in the oil painting division.  How do you judge an art show? It's not easy. Sometimes you might reject an outstanding painting because its garish frame has made the painting look terrible. Other times, you might include a painting that is poorly executed but has an outstanding concept. Or, several beautiful landscapes have been submitted, but you reject one in order to make room for a still life or an abstract to make the exhibit well-rounded. In the end, the selection is subjective because there is no objective, scientific, quantifiable method of determining good art. If you ever enter an art show and are rejected, don't feel bad; it happens to really good artists all the time. Maybe the judge doesn't like the color orange in any painting, and yours happens to have orange in it. The selection can come down to superficial decisions like that. Color Theory Presentation In several classes last week I offered a color theory presentation, focusing on complementary colors, and color mathching: 
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 Plein air painting is the practice of painting outdoors, where artists directly observe the landscape. Artists bring their materials to the site and work on location to capture natural light, color, and atmosphere. This method requires quick decision-making due to the changing weather and lighting conditions. It challenges artists to simplify forms and focus on essentials. Plein air painting improves observation skills and deepens understanding of color relationships and spatial depth. Artists often complete studies on-site and may refine or expand them later in the studio. It’s a practical exercise that builds technical skill, visual memory, and confidence in working efficiently under natural conditions. Here are three of my recent plein air paintings: "Rose Garden in July." I was mesmerized by the flowers' soft colors.  "Rose Garden 2". Toward the far side of the Rose Garden, there is a small wooded area. I set up there to avoid the crowds.  "Woodland Park". Every direction you turn—trees! This one took about an hour.  Watch for more plein air paintings in future posts!
A few years ago, I had the privilege of showcasing my work in a solo exhibition at Axis Gallery in Seattle. The show featured 50 of my oil paintings, each reflecting my deep affection for flowers and vibrant color palettes. Alongside these, I presented pieces from my Post Personalism series—a body of work that delves into themes beyond self-centricity, exploring concepts of cosmic consciousness and other mystical ideas that captivate my imagination. Have a wonderful day filled with color, textures, and mysteries.
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January 2026
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Copyright © 2025, by Patrick Howe, all rights reserved.
Patrick Howe, Artist, Author and Educator Seattle, WA. Contact: [email protected] |
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