Statement from Austin Dwyer

As Featured Artist, it has been my sincere pleasure to judge Coos Art Museum's 12th Annual Maritime Art Exhibition. The exhibit is both exhilarating and enlightening. Each artist can be very proud of his or her selected works that are on display.

After many hours of internal debate, I narrowed the field for Best of Show down to six works; 4 paintings of traditional Maritime Art, a non-objective Maritime oil painting and a bronze sculpture of a sensual pair of seals.

In the end, the painting I chose as Best of Show is a mid-sized pastel whose primary powerful focal point is a massive ominous cloud. The secondary focal point is a small boat bathed in sunlight, accented by dark seas and skyline, which to me demonstrated man's insignificance compared to nature in the overall image. This painting adhered to all the elements of design, impact and simplicity of color. "Mistral II" was sufficiently executed - neither under nor overstated.

It is truly an honor to be part of Coos Art Museum's commitment to exhibiting works by Maritime artists from around the country.

Austin Dwyer, Featured Artist
July 23, 2005
Coos Art Museum

For more information on CAM, email info@coosart.org.