Abundance Contest: The Winners

Throughout months of Covid and quarantine the phrase "an abundance of caution" was on constant repeat. The global pandemic also caused us to question what we mean by "abundance," and made us think about what we want as opposed what we need. Shortages and stockpiling made us feel a worrying lack, when we probably had all we needed all along. And it made us value a different type of abundance, and realize that family, friends, and kindness were all invaluable. It made us appreciate the power of art to heal ourselves and express the pain and confusion we were feeling, as well as to bring a richness of beauty into our lives. 

GRAND PRIZE WINNER: Salvatore Gulino

Salvatore Gulino
Supermarket (After Hals)
Acryllic
46 x 48

Frans Hals' "Laughing Cavalier" suggests abundance. He's portly and satisfied, his clothes are festooned with extravagant embroidery, his fabulous moustache emphasizes his mysterious smile, and he's wearing acres of lace. The image is also steeped in layers of symbolism. Gulino's wry re-interpretation of the smiling cavalier against a bright, bountiful, pop-art-inspired background of supermarket products projects a different sort of abundance. Supermarkets have always suggested a uniquely American idea of wealth and plenty, and in the last eight months the fear of quarantine-provoked food shortages has made this idea more acutely pertinent than ever. Gulino's painting uses layers of history and humor to subtly question the meaning of abundance.

THE RUNNERS-UP
 

Sabrina Mantle
Above and Below
Print of my hand-cut collage
Various Sizes

"A teeming portrait of the two worlds of nature. Above is the world we see everyday, Below the secret world of bacteria, fungus, insects, and the network of communication between them." Sabrina Mantle's collage explores the vibrant, mysterious abundance of the natural world.

Michael Billie
Blessings From the South
Resin and Skeleton Leaves on Floating Panel
12 x 12 x 3
 

A layer of resin on the panel with another layer of resin poured over it forming the blue shape. The relief in the middle is first a layer of skeleton leaves that have been coated with sand with smaller skeleton leaves sitting inside. It is dusted with small glass pouring out.
"My work always seems to be evolving and I never know which direction it's going to take and just that it's always going to evolve. I always go in with an empty emotion because I don't like outside noise to be infused into the work. Most of the time I feel like I'm just going at a pace where I'm just doing without thinking about what comes next. I was feel like spirits from other worlds are helping with the building and making it come together and making sense."  

Tony Rubino
Closely 9
Acrylic on Canvas

Tony Rubino's baroque, lavish, layered work is a feast for the eyes, and at the center of it all a witty reminder, "don't over do it."
 

Alan Soffer
All My Life's a Circle
Multi Media Painting
36 x 30 x 3 

Alan Soffer's artwork explores the idea of finding order out of chaos. His work is layered with materials and meaning, and often, as with this piece, takes on aspects of spirituality and mythology.

Eileen Nistler
Pearls
Colored Pencil
11 x 14 1/2

"I inherited a lot of vintage costume jewelry from some amazing women. I call this series The Family Jewels because the ladies were certainly jewels with class."  Nistler's lush painting revels in richness and lustre, gleaming with warmth and light. We love the fact that the jewelry is costume jewelry, and the friendship and admiration evident in this tribute displays another meaning of abundance.

Catherine Minnery
What I See and Don't See
Oil on canvas with gallery wrapped painted edges.
36 x 60

A fleeting winter landscape just before darkness descends. This beautiful, moody landscape evokes a world swirling with spirts, and captures the feeling conjured at certain times of day and certain times of year, that the natural world is full of elements calling for our attention. We are not alone, but surrounded by things we feel but might never understand.

Richard Levine
Robin's Harvest #2
Acrylic and graphite on Arches.
20 x 16

Late fall bounty, almost the end. Is there anything better than this? This whole long strange spring, little things like this kept us going. Vegetables from our garden, a simple meal cooked with our families, and the simple perfection of a painting such as this one.

Jana Harris
Blue Earth
Mixed Media Collage
Various Options

"My hope is that my work brightens your day, adds beauty or positivity to our world or inspires the creativity in you. My art is created with the spirit of giving and uplifting and is the way that I can best help others and make a small difference in our world. I donate 100% of my profits from prints sold on this site to carefully chosen charities that touch my heart." Jana Harris' art combines an abundance of talent with an abundance of generosity. 

Dorothy Prescott
Pronghorn Antelope
Art Card
5 x 7
 

"I use an abundance of natural materials. Sticks, twigs, leaves, bark, marsh materials and even weeds. I believe that abundance can be the light source of our work. The materials we use and our depth of creativity will follow our foot path so as the years continue we can share our art gift with many."