Page 7 - Wax & Wildflowers eXHIBITION Catalog 2023

Jurors’ Statement

It has been our distinct pleasure to judge entries in the San Antonio Art League’s

groundbreaking exhibition entitled “Wax and Wildflowers.” The works collected here truly
advance the grand tradition of Texas wildflower painting, thrusting the subject squarely
into a new century by offering striking new varieties and dramatic new interpretations of
a venerable, always popular, Texas genre. The number, quality, and diversity of works
submitted was quite impressive and presented a very tall and challenging order for us in

attempts to winnow down the many excellent submissions to relative few.

We realize that any effort to judge art is an inherently biased process, yet we submit that
we have tried to objectify our selection process to the extent possible. We have tried to
consider our selection criteria within the context of the unique wildflower theme underlying the

exhibition. Within that context, four primary factors have guided our selections here. These
include:

1. The artist’s distinctive interpretation of the wildflower subject matter, both in terms of
overall strength of composition, as well as creativity and sensitivity of presentation.

2. The presence of vivid color and/or resonating tonal qualities which accentuate the

wildflower theme and subject matter.

3. The use and application of encaustic media as a tool to enhance both richness of surface
textures and add value to the intrinsic compositional elements of a work.

4. Capturing the broadest possible range of artistic style, motif and genre within final
selections.

As judges, we are deeply indebted to all of the artists who lovingly responded to this call for
work and assure all entrants that viewing each and every work has offered us considerable
joy and appreciation. Whether ultimately juried in or out, we deem all works submitted to be
both worthy and effective in their own right. Thus, it has been our extraordinary privilege and

opportunity to view and engage with such a strong body of work, reminding us of the natural
beauties of ubiquitous wildflowers all about us as well as the enduring virtues of encaustic-
based media. We thank all involved (most especially the artists) and wish all involved a
pleasant and delightful experience.

Bill and Linda Reaves,

June 2023

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