Linda is best known for her stunning paintings done in colored pencil. In 2007 she won the CIPPY Award and the EXXPY Award - the two highest awards given by the Colored Pencil Society of America.  Linda has the distinction of being the only colored pencil artist to have won both awards. She is also the only colored pencil artist to have won the International Artists Magazines Grand Prize Award which she received in 2005. Her work has been shown in more than 45 national and international exhibitions and she’s won an equal number of awards and honors.  

She is represented by Southwest Gallery in Dallas, TX.  Her work can be found in public and private collections nationwide.

Linda Lucas Hardy, CPSA
http://www.lindahardy.com

I only had a moment to glance through the entire show before some technical glitch saw fit to block me from the page. I was anxious for the problem to be resolved so I could see each piece again but that did not happen for two days.  Meanwhile I had time to think about how I felt about  the responsibility of judging this show.  It was not long however before a thought came to me.  It was as if someone had entrusted me with a box filled with many precious stones, breathtaking in their beauty, individuality and design . While in my care I could take them out and examine  them at my leisure, but only for a day. At the end of the day I had to give them back. But for THAT day they were mine to enjoy.

As an individual I am drawn to certain things in works of art that influence me but, like you, they are not necessarily the same things. For instance, I tend to be somewhat photo realistic and prefer drama in my own work.  I'm methodical, focused and straightforward. Sometimes that can be a chore. However when it comes to the work of others a whole new world of possibilities open up to me. I tend to get very excited by line, I can be surprised by a creative use of space, amazed by colors I may never use, stunned by technical ability or inspired over the absence of detail, impressed by a creative use of texture, fascinated by a clever design, awed by a gesture or charmed by an expression.

That said, I only hope you can imagine my amazement when I finally got to spend time with each one of your entries.  Oh my! I was overwhelmed which made my task as judge that much harder.  When there's a show like this one where there are so many exceptional pieces worthy of recognition  the job of narrowing it down becomes almost painful. That certainly is the way I felt in this case. I applaud you all for a job well done and I thank you for permitting me to make your lovely pieces mine, if only for a day.

Best of Show: Mason - Tanja Gant
There's no question about it, Tanja was in control and had command over her pencils, her paper and her subject matter. There are some things in life that make an impression on you. You know you want to say something but you can't find the words, and if you could it would probably take too long to say. I can't find the words Tanja so I'll say this....Excellent job!

1st Place: Into the Light - Eileen Nistler

Wouldn't you say drama? Eileen too had control and command of her pencil. Using really bright colors in contrast to the dark background she added just enough detail to make it interesting. It's a beautiful piece that demands attention.

2nd Place: Bejeweled - Lin Yates

It was the line, color and interesting subject matter that first caught my attention and kept me going back. However as soon as I let my eye drift away from the line it was the movement, rhythm and pattern that kept me there. There's a lot of life and activity in Bejeweled. If you look long enough you just might see something growing.

3rd Place: Coral Jasmine - Sunil Joshi

I loved this piece from the second I saw it. Unlike the more photo realistic Mason, Coral Jasmine tends to be sketchy, a technique I could never bring myself to use in my own work but something that intrigues me and I admire none the less. She's charming and inviting and just as real as if she were standing in front of me. She definitely commanded more than a second look.

4th Place: Lucie - Bonnie Sheckter

Since I only got to see the show briefly before I was blocked from the page Lucy was the first piece I saw. Wouldn't you know, the first thought that popped into my head was, "That's colored pencil?". Later, when I got to study the piece further I was even more impressed. I was drawn to Lucy first by value then by pattern, then technique. Great composition! Over all great piece!