Two members of the Santa Clarita Artists’ Association (SCAA) walked away with top awards at the October 24th Simi Valley Art Show’s awards ceremony.  “This is just fabulous,” said Olga Kaczmar, SCAA President “We know them as dedicated, accomplished painters and we’re so proud of them.”
Jane Mick won Best of Show for “Alaska,” along with $300 in prize money: “The painting of “Alaska” came about because of the mountains.  I loved the way they look.  I textured it and painted over the texture with a brush putting everything where I wanted it.  After the painting was dry to the touch, I almost repaint the whole painting again with a pallet knife.  I like color on top of color to give the painting interest.  I love the look the pallet knife gives.  I sometimes even go back again with another layer of paint.  I like to throw in colors that are not really there. When the painting was done, you would never know I used that photo.  I do tend to make up a lot from my head or use a group of pictures for the look I want.”  Mick already has a buyer in the wings waiting for the show to end.
Gerda Maxey won First Place in Oils for Young Chief, along with $200 in prize money.  Maxey also won a Merit award for this same painting at the recent SCAA’s Art Classic in Santa Clarita.  She took a People’s Choice Award in San Fernando Valley VIVA Show.  She loves to paint portraits (available for commissions), still life and village scenes from her native town in Paraguay.  Maxey became fascinated by classic painting methods and is becoming an expert in Renaissance techniques.
For more information on the SCAA please visit www.santaclaritaartists.org.