The Finale: Day 1

On this final evening before the 15th annual show, we must pay homage to one of the most classical forms of art. The sketchers, the painters, the musicians of the brush. Debussy brought bright colors to music. The artists at our show bring music out in colors.

But let's not linger too long on my love for the craft. The techniques used to turn a relatively basic medium into a symphony on canvas still astound me.

This year we are lucky to have a collection of 6 painters and sketch artists.

First up, Chandler Beatty, a wildlife artist featuring acrylic paintings. He has been honing his craft for over 25 years using his experience to boldly color each subject. One of the best aspects of his work is how each layer is thought out so the entire piece flows with life. These are treasures you'll want in your home!

Al Dornisch is another master of acrylics that has paired this talent with a long ago acquired love for the outdoors. He has traveled across the globe photographing and sketching to collect subjects for his paintings. They are gloriously detailed. So much so, that you could mistake each canvas as a window to the world. You'll be tempted to reach out and touch the flora and fauna across the landscape.

Denise Drummond, sketch and watercolor artist, brings the outdoors indoors with each piece she makes. They all seem to have a story, or perhaps a song, lingering within the frame waiting to be heard. The attention and love that goes into her work makes her art all the more special. You'll be transported to a different place and time while gazing at they paintings!

2019's Best of Show 2D award winner Jack Paluh has been an oil painter for 40 years. Experience like that, particularly with oil paints, brings out the very best visuals and textures any artist strives to accomplish with seeming ease. With that deft hand, he manages to make every subject in his art look life-like. You'll want one of these masterpieces in your home; a symphony to the humblest creatures in the natural world!

Ellen Paquette's paintings are 1 part classical, 2 parts whimsy, and 100% treasure worthy. They inspire full histories for each subject, as you will plainly see this weekend. I can easily imagine quite a few prancing to Monteverdi! Painted with high detail and a fantastic eye towards 15th and 16th century style, you'll fall in love with these noble animal portraits.

Finally, we come to the self-taught painter Larry Schneider. He turned a hobby into a passion bringing his art to countless shows and festivals over the years. He takes nature as a canvas in order to showcase his natural subjects. Birds are a specialty of his and you'll find them captured in moments upon hardboard, wood cuts, rocks and the like to bring a rustic feel to such a wonderful talent. These are treasure pieces perfect for bringing character to any space in your life!

And with the final artist accounted for, we can spend these last few hours before the show opens waiting with baited breath, clothes laid out, sneakers at the ready, sunscreen, water bottle, and empty goodie bag at the ready. Imagine Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto; the tension before the show, building to a jaunty stroll through the park lit by bouts of excitement as new treasure is spotted all to end in glorious triumph when you ultimately leave with far more than you entered with, and a full heart to get you home.

We'll see you at Art in the Wilds!