As any serious artist will admit, art is something you do because you're motivated to create, express, or share something -- not because you're trying to win a prize. Even so, it's an honor to receive professional validation for your work.
I'm incredibly proud of my husband, Doug, for winning two awards in the annual Michiana Annual Art Competition. The exhibit, currently at The Box Factory for the Arts in St. Joseph, MI, runs through July 29. Doug won "Best in Show" for his oil painting, "Balloon Dart," which depicts a carnival game at a summer fair. He also won the top prize in the sculpture category for his kinetic steampunk piece, "Dreamcatcher" (shown above in the newspaper cover photo).
Congratulations to one-half of an awesome team of artists!