2022 Student Art Contest
High School Division: Place Winners
Juror Commentary By Michael McGinley
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First Place
Thanh Duong The Sit-down Oil Paint 10th Grade, Age 16 Cypress Woods High School Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Teacher: Quindeel Butt Artist Statement This is a portrait-from-life I did over the course of a little over a week for someone staying over at my house. This was an attempt to get as accurate to life as possible using all the proportional measurement techniques I can while practicing live, in-person painting. Juror Commentary Happy spontaneity as if this were a photograph but in a medium demanding patience and careful application. We respond with as much joy as the sitter shares with us. How direct her gaze is and how well framed she is on a couch that comfortably leads us into her space. Her black hair and relaxed arms encompass her happy personality. The pastel blue, yellow, green and pink surround and create a soft dreamlike environment. Expert brushwork unifies all the different textures of cloth and skin. And the highlights and shadows modeling the subject’s countenance arrest us. We must stop and smile back. |
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Second Place
Sophia Phillip Coco Graphite 9th Grade, Age 14 Magnolia High School Magnolia ISD Teacher: Alexandra Chavez Artist Statement My inspiration for this piece was to celebrate the life of our first cat named Coco. Coco meant a lot to me and was my best friend for many years and would always comfort me in my times of need. Juror Commentary Coco’s attention and expression are exactly how our pets look when we look at them, and how they look when they look back at us. The downward perspective frames Coco’s face which dominates the image’s space. We delight in the graphite application rendering exquisite texture and details: the soft fur, glistening eyes, wispy whiskers, and the attentive ears just slightly cropped at the edges. Textures and details carry to the surrounding background, in softer focus. Balanced and contrasting values shape Coco’s presence. What will Coco do next, certainly not break our gaze we hope. |
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3rd Place
Nguyen Phan Visceral Privacy Digital Art 11th Grade, Age 16 Klein Cain High School Klein ISD Teacher: Joel Cook Artist Statement It's what in my heart and my consciousness fuse into forms. I am presented as a statue, a backbone in flesh that's keeping this place save and secure. It's inspired by some traditional east Asia representative objects. I've learned more in depth on how to harmonize colors, composition, and creating values. Juror Commentary A classic self-portrait with immediate presence and an equal measure of mystery. The direct view engages us, inviting us into a framework of senses: music, scents, flight, and diaphanous textures. Muted reds, greens, browns, and blues quietly surround and shelter the sitter. The dark gray clothing balances with the black hair and frames the face, exceptionally modeled through highlight and shadow. The sitter’s expression intrigues, asking us to pause a moment, to self-reflect. |
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Honorable Mention
Bridgeth Perez Sanchez Whimsical Dreamscape Colored Pencil 12th Grade, Age 18 Cypress Springs High School Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Artist Statement My style of art is influenced by the fantasy genre of surrealism. I was inspired by my little cousin who loves to share his dreams. I wanted to create a piece that draws the viewer into the spatial perspective or dreamworld. I love working with bright colors using colored pencils and pastels. This piece has strengthened my skill sets with composition and chiaroscuro. Juror Commentary A joyful, whimsical jog through a fantastical landscape where the mushrooms grow as large as the young boy. We just glance his happy expression while a wind tosses his hair about. Bright sunlight dazzles his deep blue coat where the rumples and stitching shout out for attention. How much greener can the meadow get, how much bluer the sky? See what colored pencil can achieve. We lean into his dream space and want to run besides and hear him call to friends through the clear air. |
High School Division: Juried Selections
Pamela Fajardo
Kicks Dark Room Photography 9th Grade, Age 14 Cypress Creek High School Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Teacher: Charlie Rogers Artist Statement: My photo is my solution to a collage problem. I chose to take the photo of my shoes because I thought the perspective of the low angle would be interesting, and chose this photo to collage together due to the simple shape lending itself to the repetition. 
Kelly Lopez
For My Beloved Father Acrylic 12th Grade, Age 18 Andy Delaney High School Spring ISD Teacher: Tiffany Sims This piece is dedicated to my father and is a memoir of my childhood. When I was a child, my dad would play "tea party" with me and my stuffed animals. That memory is very precious to me and I hold it dearly. 
Mackenzie Bayless
First Impressions Colored Pencil 12th Grade, Age 17 Magnolia West High School Magnolia ISD Teacher: Destiny Ortiz I’ve created a self portrait highlighted with warm colors against dull darker colors in specific areas of the face. The traits we’re naturally drawn to, create our first impressions of someone and this is the initial process of our perception. 
Saami Baig
Shave of Shame Photography 10th Grade, Age 16 The John Cooper School Tomball Teacher: Jennifer Schiebel This past summer my cat started to get hairballs. My sister decided to shave her to stop periodic hairball episodes from happening. The shaved look brings out the irritated expression, and the stairwell bars accentuate the feeling of being a domesticated animal with no control over your fur. |
Hannah Dang
Please Dispose After Use Watercolor 11th Grade, Age 16 Cypress Woods High School Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Teacher: Quindeel Butt Artist Statement: My statement is to the brutal reality of ocean pollution. Society’s ignorance of production and consumerism cycles back to who we never thank enough for our resources: Mother Earth. My piece ties into this by creating an ironic depiction of a person consuming turtles trapped in a plastic water bottle. 
Seth Harris
River Road Acrylic 11th Grade, Age 17 Grand Oaks High School Conroe ISD Teacher: Dandrige Reed The purpose of my artwork is to show that you should take in the beauty of the world around you at the moment. This painting is also a reflection of my personality through the image that is captured, a calm relaxing street just after a dark storm. 
Bria Lloyd
Dog Days Photography 10th Grade, Age 15 Cypress Christian School Teacher: Beth Brubaker I had the idea for this photo for awhile. It was based on a photo I took years ago of the dog and my brother in sunglasses together. I saw her napping on the carpet and seized my opportunity. 
Grace Nielsen
Nostalgia Colored Pencil 12th Grade, Age 17 Nielsen Homeschool Teacher: Roxanne Nielsen This art piece of mine is done with colored pencil. While I was looking through old family photos, I came across a picture of my dad and brother. I thought it captured a very heartfelt, joyful moment and that it would be perfect to draw. I used vibrant colors, high contrast, and a burnishing technique. |
Middle School Division: Place Winners
Juror Commentary By Mel Basham
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1st Place
Nhi Vo Depiction of Nhi Vo Acrylic 8th Grade, Age 14 Schindewolf Intermediate Klein ISD Teacher: Samantha Lacey Artist Statement A self portrait with a combination of vivid and dark colors. The painting was a letter of my emotions, done through the bold colors and finger painting. Juror Commentary This acrylic portrait painting uses a variety of painterly techniques and color to create an expressive composition. The student artist uses complementary colors to frame the portrait and emphasize the well-executed details of the face. The strong diagonal draws the viewer into this balanced painting to appreciate all areas of the painting. Excellent use of media to communicate emotion in this painterly portrait. |
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2nd Place
Areli Cruz Vacation in Italy Colored Pencil 8th Grade, Age 13 Klein Intermediate Klein ISD Teacher: Tu-Anh Pham Artist Statement This drawing is based off of a vacation I took in Venice, Italy. The picture was taken while my family and I were lost during vacation. I used found objects to create this still life. I chose a lot of greenery to add to my still life, because there was not enough green in the photo. Juror Commentary What a creative, wonderful view of Venice. The framing elements and architectural details are well done and engaging allowing the viewer to enter the composition to be part of the experience. The vacation memories are captured and shared. This colored pencil composition clearly tells a story and shares a memory that can be enjoyed by all. |
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3rd Place
Cailea Chalton Blue Moon Scratchboard 8th Grade, Age 13 Cypress Christian School Teacher: Beth Brubaker Artist Statement I titled this piece of art “Blue Moon” because my cat’s name is Blue and he is always sleeping or just laying around so I put moon since that is when most sleep. Juror Commentary What a spectacular tribute to Blue the Cat. The use of scratchboard techniques successfully shows attention to details in all areas of this work – fur textures, collar, whiskers, nose, expressive eyes and the calm pose of the animal. It is as if Blue is sitting right there demanding attention. This composition does communicate Blue’s personality and the artist’s appreciation of their pet. |
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Honorable Mention
Mu Paw Little Flower Shop Mixed Media 8th Grade, Age 14 Hamilton Middle School Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Teacher: Kim Lloyd Artist Statement I wanted to reflect or to somehow show how I saw the world. I liked looking at simple sceneries and people and wonder what would it be like to see in their point of view. It's nice just to stop and look at what's in front of you. Juror Commentary Little Flower Shop captures a moment in time and invites you in to enjoy all the wonderful flowers and quiet moments. The mixed media composition is framed and balanced with all the flower shop details. The variety of textures and colors are pleasing. The viewer can imagine walking into the shop, smelling the flowers and creating colorful flower arrangements. |
Middle School Division: Juried Selections
Santiago Fernandez Villarreal
The Splatter Photography 8th Grade, Age 14 The John Cooper School Tomball Teacher: Jennifer Schiebel Artist Statement When I think of art I think of craziness and colors, with movements everywhere. In this photo I was able to capture the movement of colored water in an unreal way that is surprising and fills the view. It is pretty in its chaos. 
Iris Shen
Helping Hands Graphite 8th Grade, Age 13 McCullough Jr High School Conroe ISD Teacher: Roberta Willeford Artist Statement My artwork uses white Prisma color, black Prisma color, and pencil to create a monochromatic waterfall landscape. The insertion of human hands aim to represent humanity's need to protect the nature and environment surrounding us. Additionally, the two hands reaching out to each other symbolize the cooperation needed to accomplish this. |
Zoe Wesley
Chaotic Collage Pen and Ink 8th Grade, Age 13 Irons Jr. High Conroe ISD Teacher: Mandy Johnston Artist Statement This art piece is my expression of the many expressions and emotions I see and feel on a daily basis. It is in the form of a collage to combine all of the expressions into one piece. 
Alondra Garcia Romero
Aren't I Beautiful Acrylic 8th Grade, Age 14 York Jr High School Conroe ISD Teacher: Kaitlin Williamson Artist Statement The concept was showing how people might hate something just by looking at but it's actually looking at it on the bright side. I took a picture of my brother's snake. People said that it is a scary animal but I don't see it that way. |
Elementary Division: Place Winners
Juror Commentary By Evelyn Bouley
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1st Place
Diego Torres The Two Amigos Mixed Media 4th Grade, Age 10 Schultz Elementary School Klein ISD Teacher: Catalina Baez Artist Statement I was inspired to use parrots as my subject because parrots are nice and loyal creatures. They have bright colorful feathers. I first drew the parrots, then I mod podge some previously bled out tissues. The next day, I painted around the tissues. I learned a different way to make great art. Juror Commentary Rich, vibrant colors delight the eye in this mixed media artwork of a pair of parrots. This young artist skillfully fills the pleasing composition with several interesting areas of pattern and repetition. The use of layered tissue paper and painterly brushwork combine to create a strikingly beautiful masterpiece. |
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2nd Place
Isabella Rutland Wishing Star Colored Pencil 5th Grade, Age 11 Hassler Elementary School Klein ISD Teacher: Carolyn Mikel Artist Statement I love horses and take horseback riding lessons weekly. I wanted to draw a very detailed horse because that’s how they look in real life. I drew the pattern on the horse and then I focused on the eye to look real. I also wanted to show each strand of hair in the forelock. Juror Commentary This moody and expressive drawing immediately captivates the viewer. With sensitive textures, the artist creates a superb rendering of the horse’s hair and mane. The pleasing combination of patterns found on the horse and on the sky make this work of art an award winner. |
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3rd Place
Sophia Evens Stuck in a Painting Mixed Media 5th Grade, Age 11 French Elementary Klein ISD Teacher: Emily Bledsoe Artist Statement I love to make art and I love that you can be really creative with it. We learned how to create shadows and I think they really make my art pop as if the objects are actually Stuck in a Painting. Juror Commentary This mixed media piece reveals an amazing understanding of the art technique called Trompe L’oeil. Trompe L’oeil seeks to trick the eye and make objects on a flat surface appear to be three dimensional. This is what the young artist achieved- the objects seem to have mass and form because they cast a shadow, and the brushes appear to splatter their paint upon the paper in front of them. The clever title, “Stuck in a Painting”, describes it well because the objects trick the eye and look dimensional. |
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4th Place
Le Tran Dog on a Beach Colored Pencil 5th Grade, Age 12 Danish Elementary Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Teacher: Sophia Seltz Artist Statement The reason I decided to draw this dog is because it's one of my stuffed animals that meant a lot to me. At first, I drew the dog but I added the beach background so it looked more friendly and nice. I used light colors to color the picture. It turned out really successfully and I am really happy with my picture. Juror Commentary The drawing of this happy dog is well done- from the positioning of the legs and paws to the sweet face with it’s tongue hanging out. The composition leads the eye as the dog enters the picture plane from the left and proceeds to give chase to the ball on the right. Then the visual movement continues up to the palm tree and back again into the picture with the waves of the ocean in the background. One can almost sense the fond feelings the artist must have for the stuffed animal that inspired this joyful scene. |
Elementary Division: Juried Selections
Alyson Resendiz Castillo
Chaos Watercolor 5th Grade, Age 10 Lewis Elementary Spring ISD Teacher: Kimberly Sukala Artist Statement I like my artwork, it looks creative. It doesn't look like artwork I have seen before, but it is still beautiful. I used a combination of sharpie and watercolor for the art. I was inspired by the artwork of Jean Michel Basquiat. Even though it is not perfect, it is still creative art. 
Riley Moore
The River of Tears and Love Oil Pastels and Watercolor 4th Grade, Age 9 The John Cooper School Teacher: Amy Dietrich Artist Statement My artwork was inspired by Monet’s painting of water lilies at the Japanese bridge. I painted the sun shining brightly down on the bridge because Monet’s picture makes me feel bright and cheerful. I made the willow tree leaves waving in the wind by drawing the branches on the tree with oil pastels and overlaying it with watercolors. |
Dana Frias
Galaxy Shade Watercolor 5th Grade, Age 11 Carolee Booker Elementary Spring ISD Teacher: Maria Mathews Artist Statement I made birch trees in the winter and focused on showing a light source. I used watercolor, salt, tape, and watercolor pencils. I learned about the principle of art variety and the element of art value. I liked making these trees in the forest because it looks peaceful and quiet like me. 
Shiva Bansal
Gold and Silver Explosion Printmaking 4th Grade, Age 9 The John Cooper School Teacher: Amy Dietrich Artist Statement Gold and silver numbers explode in contrast to the black background. For me, this expresses the power of numbers. This was my first experience with printmaking, and I really liked using the ink and rollers. I got the turquoise area because I made multiple prints from the same numbers, and it was from my one before. |
2022 Student Art Contest Winning Pieces
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2022 Student Art Contest
Artwork by local students grades 1-12 Marilyn M. Hillery Gallery April 1 - April 30, 2022 The Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts is pleased to present the annual Student Art Contest winners who were recognized for their outstanding artistic achievements. The 2022 Student Art Contest accepted entries from 1st to 12th grade students in public, private, and home schools in the Northwest Houston area. The contest entries were first adjudicated by the individual school districts and those finalists were submitted to the Pearl. Jurors then judged all entries according to four criteria: technique, personal expression, organization, and integration. This was a blind adjudication meaning no information about the artist was known to the panel of jurors. The jurors selected first, second, third place, and an honorable mention out of 180 entries for each division and a selection of other pieces to be included in the online Juried Exhibition that can be found here. |