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Walt Curlee
2011 National Invitational Grand Prize Winner
2010 National Invitational Finalist
Autumn Wheat Harvest by Walt Curlee, 2011 National Invitational Grand Prize Winner
Judge's Statement
Walt 's Autumn Wheat Harvest is the winner of this year's Only Originals National Invitational -- and this painting exhibits all of the features that make this artist's work stand out in a crowd.
The viewer is transported into a whimsical world of rolling form and lively color, filled with an assortment of gentle beings.
Details add interest. In his winning piece, a toad eyes a cricket; squirrels play on a decaying tree; a single building is gray with age; a rake is left in a half-mowed field.
Through the skillful use of color, the eye is guided across the canvas. The purple in the clouds plays against the harvest's complementary gold. Green pastures vibrate against red earth. Blue sky plays against the orange shadows of a grain field, as well as orange pulp in a dead tree.
In some of Walt's works, the rolling landscape, ivy leaves in the foreground, stylized haystacks, and whipping clouds are reminiscent of creations by Thomas Hart Benton. Although the practice has faded away, artists often borrowed stylistic properties from one another, altering them to form something equally wonderful but yet unique. Although the influence of Benton (and perhaps Grant Wood) can be seen, Walt's work could be mistaken for neither. Walt Curlee speaks with his own voice, and his works are truly American originals.
Walt 's Autumn Wheat Harvest is the winner of this year's Only Originals National Invitational -- and this painting exhibits all of the features that make this artist's work stand out in a crowd.
The viewer is transported into a whimsical world of rolling form and lively color, filled with an assortment of gentle beings.
Details add interest. In his winning piece, a toad eyes a cricket; squirrels play on a decaying tree; a single building is gray with age; a rake is left in a half-mowed field.
Through the skillful use of color, the eye is guided across the canvas. The purple in the clouds plays against the harvest's complementary gold. Green pastures vibrate against red earth. Blue sky plays against the orange shadows of a grain field, as well as orange pulp in a dead tree.
In some of Walt's works, the rolling landscape, ivy leaves in the foreground, stylized haystacks, and whipping clouds are reminiscent of creations by Thomas Hart Benton. Although the practice has faded away, artists often borrowed stylistic properties from one another, altering them to form something equally wonderful but yet unique. Although the influence of Benton (and perhaps Grant Wood) can be seen, Walt's work could be mistaken for neither. Walt Curlee speaks with his own voice, and his works are truly American originals.
Winning piece:
Autumn Wheat Harvest -- 20" W x 16" H -- Oil on canvas -- $6,200
First row:
Taking Pumpkins to Market -- 20" W x 16" H -- Oil on canvas -- $6,000 -- giclées available
Springtime on the Farm -- 20" W x 16" H -- SOLD -- giclées available
Second row:
Appalachian Blackberry Patch -- 30" W x 24" H -- Oil on canvas -- NFS -- giclées available
Rural Winter -- Oil on gessoed art board -- 20" W x 16" H -- $6,500 -- giclées available
Third row:
The Family Garden -- 20" W x 16" H -- Oil on canvas -- $3,000 -- giclées available
The Veon's Farm -- 20" W x 16" H -- Oil on canvas -- NFS -- giclées available
Fourth row:
Coon Gap Holler -- 20" W x 16" H -- Oil on canvas -- $5,500
Turkeys in the Hills -- 20" W x 16" H -- Oil on canvas -- $6,200
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Only Originals Gallery of Fine Art
Box 592
Benton, AR 72018-0592
onlyoriginals@sbcglobal.net
Box 592
Benton, AR 72018-0592
onlyoriginals@sbcglobal.net