Helping Hand

by Diane Fawley

This piece first caught my eye for the bright summer light and contrasting pinks and blues, and on further inspection offers much more to see. The everyday moment captured is immediately familiar and playful, but the almost-off-balance stance of the adult figure lets us know the moment is not without tension. That tension is perfectly at odds with the determined and carefree momentum of the toddler. There are many skillfully rendered colors and textures that energetically capture a fleeting moment both of life and a summer’s day.

Tropical Reef

by Lisa Richardson-Bach

This beaded cuff bracelet is a showstopper in its dramatic use of color and design, as well as its delicate attention to detail. Every cluster of beading echoes coral, crustaceans, and the smallest creatures of the sea. Even the shape of the bracelet itself mimics the gentle ripples of water lapping the sand; the colors, a coral reef. The artist has skillfully created a sculptural and entirely unique piece of wearable art.

Summer Fantasy

by Eleanor Fisher

While the texture and unique medium on this piece of art makes it stand out, its true strength is in the subtle palette and composition that together create an other-worldly and appealing result. The swans invite us in and the details of the small bridge and house beyond ask us to come in further. There is an air of mystery in this piece that feels like a dream trying to be remembered.