Bridgette Comellas, “Squint”
2026 ‘Luminosity’
Juried International Open Exhibition,
Best in Show
Exhibitions
Southeastern Pastel Society's 2026 Fall 'Luminosity' Juried Virtual International Open Exhibition
November 7 – December 31, 2026
The SPS Juried Virtual International Open Exhibition titled “Luminosity” again demonstrates to the art community just how luminous, vibrant, and versatile this medium behaves on varied surfaces. Viewers were invited to watch the Zoom awards ceremony held Nov. 7 at 3 PM EST. We are thrilled that 165 artists residing in n States and in n countries submitted 467 artworks. Artists entered only works they had completed in the last two years. The paintings could not have been displayed in any of our prior exhibitions.
It was not an easy choice for Juror of Selection and Awards, William Schneider, a “Master Signature Member” in OPA, PSA, AIS, NOAPS, and Chicago Pastel Painters TO narrow down to 129 submissions.
As SPS contains artists at many levels of proficiency, we are on our 4th year of implementing two categories:
Master Division and Member of Excellence/Member Division. Our Master Division allows the individual to add SPSMP to their signature. The designation indicates the artist has won awards in three of our SPS shows.
Our organization has been showcasing the pastel medium for 39 years. We are grateful for our Sponsors who have supported SPS. We’d like to thank Austin Hamby at ShowSubmit for providing a user friendly exhibition website as well as working fluidly with the artists and submissions chair. Also, thanks so much to the volunteers at SPS who give their time to produce an exciting art exhibition.
We awarded over $4,550 in cash awards to 22 artists.
Juror’s Bio
William Schneider went to the American Academy of Art. He is a “Master Signature Member” in OPA, PSA, AIS, NOAPS, and Chicago Pastel Painters. He is named “Eminent Pastelist” by IAPS. Bill’s featured in over 25 articles in The Artists Magazine, Fine Art Connoisseur, The Pastel Journal, and others and has won awards in national juried exhibitions (including 20 “Best of Show” and “First Place” awards!) His nine instructional videos are distributed by Paint Tube TV.
Juror comments about the exhibition
Jurors of awards always say how tough it was to choose among so many wonderful paintings, but I guess I’m forced to follow that tradition.
For this exhibition, my job was complicated by the fact that there were an unusually large number of stellar animal paintings as well as portraits and figures! Usually landscapes outnumber all other categories put together, not in this case. I wish that I had another five awards to give!
One piece of advice that I would give to all artists is to work from life as much as possible. Photo references are convenient, but the camera lies to us…particularly about value, color temperature, and edges. If we work too much from photos it harms our growth as artists.
Top Awards
Best in Show Award, Bridgette Comellas Squint
In a small (8×8) painting, the artist gives us the complete package: a daring composition; accurate drawing; an interesting implied narrative; accurate values; and believable temperature shifts as the light wraps around the form. The heat in the deep darks under the model’s chin, beside his cheek, and below his nose pushes those areas back. [Regardless of the temperature of the light, the deepest darks are virtually always hot!]
First Place Award, Doeun Kim, Shirley: Gentle Soul
It would be easy for a small, soft, almost monochromatic pet portrait to be overlooked in an exhibition like this, but I was impressed with the masterful restraint shown by the artist! The edgework perfectly captures the softness of the fur. Note how the tiny highlight in the eye with its razor-sharp edges makes all the soft and lost edges elsewhere look exquisitely intentional…and believable!
Second Place Award, Maria Bartusek, Innocence
I love the expression captured by the artist. Even though at first glance the painting seems almost monochromatic, there is enough color to create a sense of cool light and warmer shadows; (note the red in the deep recesses below the brow ridges and under the chin.) I love the composition and the soft edges of the fur.
Third Place Award, Teresa Mason, GoodBoy!
In addition to the excellent draftsmanship, I was impressed by the artist’s understanding of temperature relationships between the warm light and the cooler shadows. (Note how the shadow side of the dog’s face is mostly depicted with temperature rather than value.) An exuberant, lively painting!
