To my delight

It was a cold stormy Sunday when the annual selection day took place for the South African Society of Artists (SASA). Selection day is in advance of the prestigious SASA Annual Exhibition starting 1 October 2012.

Criteria for selection are strict and selection day proved a nail-biting affair with acclaimed external judges this year who had the task of scoring nearly 500 entries. Every painting is judged by three judges, each providing a score out of four, with a total for each painting out of 12. To get into the annual exhibition you need a minimum of 8 out of 12

I entered three artworks, all in the oil category, and all three made it into the SASA Annual! Approximately 200 artworks made the cut for this upcoming exhibition. 

In addition to being selected for the exhibition, overall prizes are also given out for best in various categories. Prize winning artworks are selected from the pieces receiving 10 or above. In the category of oils there were 49 oils with 10 and above, in comparison to only 10 in the category of acrylics.

Imagine my excitement to discover that not only had I scored a 12/12 for one of my paintings, but that I had also won the Best Oil for my '3 beauties' - two Nguni cows and a fat lady on a beach in the Transkei.

'3 beauties' oil on canvas (Best Oil 2012 SASA Annual)

I also received a highly commended for 'English summer' for my bicycles and umbrella scene on Brighton beach, and a commended for my 'Foggy Day', a plein air painting of Table Bay.

'English summer' oil on canvas

'Foggy day' plein air oil on canvas

I was particularly chuffed to have won the top prize for my oils as it gives me additional gravitas amongst my amazing oils for beginners class which I teach on a Thursday.