Winners of the 41st Annual Art Competition

Every year, Artists Magazine showcases the creative excellence of emerging and established artists alike. As we head into a new decade of the competition, we celebrate the 15 talented prizewinners and 25 honorable mentions selected by our esteemed jurors from among many hundreds of worthy entries. For a look at all the winning images—and the stories behind the top 15—check out the January/February 2025 issue of Artists Magazine.

Landscape/Cityscape Category

First Place

Svetlin Sofroniev
Sofia, Bulgaria
The Corner (watercolor on paper, 21×16)

“This painting displayed all the criteria for a top award winner: skill, originality, creativity, adept handling of the medium, design, and impact. I love the bold vantage point, which requires a great amount of skill to draw, and the artist’s confidence to create convincing shapes without getting carried away, most evident in the way the vehicles are depicted. Not one thing is overstated. The more I studied this painting, the more impressed I became. The brushstrokes on the striped curtains alone kept me entertained.” —Andy Evansen, Juror

Portrait/Figure Category

First Place

Marcos Rey
Arequipa, Peru
El Ramo (oil on linen, 55×21 1/2)

“My first impression of this work was the technical accuracy and attention to detail. I enjoyed the vertical composition in which the artist struck a wonderful balance in the relationship of shapes and color—quiet to more complex passages and subtle transition in color, and desaturated vs. chromatic. Just as important, if not more, I found the connection with the young lady’s impassive expression compared to the beautiful floral arrangement quite delightful.” —Ron Hicks, Juror

Still Life/Floral/Interior Category

First Place

Chris Krupinski
Maineville, Ohio
Such Cuties (transparent watercolor on paper, 30×22)

“The positioning of the protagonist fruits is a masterful device to pull us into this dazzling technique in watercolor. The textures—glossy oranges, time-worn cotton, and molded crystal—are modeled with satisfying mastery, letting viewers know they’re in good hands. I love the combination of patterns in the quilt and in the skins of the fruit. This artist wields light and dark, as well as cool and warm, with dramatic ease.” —Melissa Hefferlin, Juror

Animal/Wildlife Category

First Place

Kathleen Coy
Squires, Missouri
North Shore’s Burning Sage(oil on linen, 8×10)

“This little painting is deceptively simple. It reminds me of the quote about anyone being able to make something complicated, but it takes a genius to make something simple. The composition is uncomplicated, and the colors are muted; however, these elements are used in such a way that the painting comes off as vibrant and full of depth. The artist’s technique is unfussy and loose, but does not come off as chaotic, as the edges seem to have been selectively done.” —Dana Hawk, Juror

Abstract/Experimental Category

First Place

Lisa Arnold Franklin
Tequesta, Florida
Residentials (watercolor on paper, 20×20)

“Variety is the spice of this lively neighborhood. Contrast in alternating shapes, colors, lines, and values creates a pleasing rhythmic pattern. Architectural geometry is dominant throughout and is accented nicely by occasional vegetation. Subtle gradients of slightly muted colors make the overall pattern even more spectacular.” —Stan Kurth, Juror

Congratulations to all the 41^st Annual Art Competition winners! Beyond the prizes and the glory, juried competitions provide artists with the motivation to work toward a goal, stretch themselves, and aim beyond even their own expectations. Look for information and entry details about the 42^nd Annual Art Competition—as well as Call for Entry announcements for all our fine art competitions—at artistsnetwork.com/art-competitions.