Congratulations to Mike Beeman, of Cheyenne, Wyo., for winning the June Creative Spark challenge. His beautiful painting, Spring Bouquet (at right), fit well with Carole Catchen’s prompt on letting shape contribute to a painting’s total composition.

“Both positive and negative shapes are created as equal components within the composition and should come together much like a composer would arrange notes for a melody or musical arrangement,” says Beeman. “It’s important to me that shapes create a sense of tension between the essential form and the background.”

The artist won $200 toward the purchase of a Heilman pastel box. Our thanks to Heilman Designs for their generosity!





Other favorites of the PJ editors included Refined Reflections, by Stephanie Wellman; Meadow Matriarch, by Deborah Maklowski; and Tea for Two, by Deborah Kidwell (pictured, L-to-R, below).

   


Did you miss the deadline for the June challenge? There’s still time to get involved in the August challenge—deadline is Aug. 29, and the prize is Mount Vision Pastels!