Wild & Free 2023
International Exhibition and Competition
"Wild & Free" beckons artists to unleash their creativity and capture the untamed spirit that resides within the natural world and the boundless realms of imagination. This art competition celebrates the unrestrained beauty of the wild, whether found in the vibrant landscapes of untouched wilderness, the fierce majesty of untamed creatures, or the unbridled expressions of uninhibited human spirit. Participants are encouraged to explore the juxtaposition of chaos and liberation, embodying the untamed essence that resides in the heart of both nature and the human experience. "Wild & Free" invites artists to break free from conventional boundaries and release the primal energy that resides within their artistic souls, producing works that reflect the unapologetic and unrestrained beauty of a world unbound.
First Place Award
Heidi Brueckner - Squatters Club, Cuba, 78.25" x 46.5", Oil on Recycled Poly Bubble Mailers, 2021, NFS
Heidi Brueckner
Heidi Brueckner is a Professor of Art at West Valley College in Saratoga, CA where she has taught painting, drawing, and design for over 23 years.
A native Californian, Brueckner studied at the University of Heidelberg and The Goethe Institute in Germany in the late 1980s. During this pivotal year, she visited the major museums of Europe and found herself heavily influenced artistically by 20th century German art.
Brueckner received a BA in Fine Art and a BA in Art History from University of California, Santa Cruz in 1991. She received an MFA in Painting from University of Kansas in 1997.
Professor Brueckner’s work has been shown at museums, galleries, colleges, and in publications nationally and internationally. She has received many awards and scholarships for her work.
Second Place Award
Elizabeth Doerksen
El Gato, Acryla Gouache and collaged papers on archival watercolor paper, 18" x 24", 2022
Third Place Award
Maxwell G. Miller
Spellbound, Oil on panel, 6 x 7.5 inches, March 2022
Honorable Mention Awards
Ty Bainbridge - “Amethyst Twins”, Acrylic on canvas, 40in x 30
Grace Miller - "Hey Driver," acrylic on wood, 16x12 inches, created May 5, 2023, not for sale
Leonid Iogansen - Turquoise Night, 2015. 48”x36” Oil on canvas
Tafy LaPlanche - Hell, Makes Me Wanna, Charcoal & Acrylic Dimensions: 5' x 6', 2022, $9,500
Finalist Awards
Allison Kufta - Golden, Digital Painting, 16x20
Hana Sebelova - Washing face, Oil-painting on paper board, 54 x72 cm, 03/2019, $150
Jena Ataras - Bunny Loves Grass! 13x19x0, mixed media, 2023, 1,000
Daniel Hansen - マンガ, Pen and Ink, A4, 2019
Emmett Kyle - A-Lone Wake, acrylic & spray, 60”x40”, created 11/15/23
Pamela Torres - "Saturnia Komodia", 28 X 44 inches, Soft pastel and marker on poster board, 2022
Waladi Ali - "The World Is Yours Shawty" Digital Art, 3000 x 3700px, 2023
Patricia Byle - Risk-Glamour, Acrylic paint on canvas, 5x15ft., Nov. 2023
Hannah Kroeker - Carbon Copy "Land Sirens", Mixed Media Collage, Washi Tape and Paper, 8.5x11 Cardstock
Lilian Alkaff - ‘Lighter’, Digital Art, 2023
Jihan Gearon - Mama Bear Is Always There, Acrylic on canvas, 18 x 24 inches, January 2019
Nicole Martinelli - Midnight Floral Dream excursion, Photography, 24x36 on metal, $900
Renard Philippe - "Jungle Rules", Oil on Canvas, 90cm x 90cm, 2023, $7000
Lily Kaloustian - Me in a Tree, oil paint, may 2023, 60x60", $1200
Hiokit Lao - Ode to life, Digital art, 8''x11.5'', 2023
Christine Drake - Sunflower, Watercolor, 12" x 16", October 2023, $150
Iaqua - Birth of Spring, 115x75cm, mixed media on canvas, 2023, 400€
Justin Coleman, Strutter, Colored pencil, 8.5”x11” cardstock, 11/13/2023
Lydia Nong - "Intrusive Thought," 2018, Plaster, Acrylic, Wood, 10in x 7in x 3.5in
Sofia Cohen - Dash, Oil Paint, 1.5x2.5 feet
Serenity Shipp - Addiction, Alcohol Markers, Color pencils, watercolor, Ink pen, Pencil, Acrylic Paint, 18 x 14, April 2023, $250
Sarah Graves - Boundless, September 2023, watercolor, 48 x 51 in., $6,120
Sitora Qaharman - Fly like an eagle, oil paints, 30×50 cm., 2023
Sara Caporaletti - Persist, acrylic on canvas, 11x14, 2023, $200
Sultana Rahim - Rolling Sunflowers, Acrylic + paper, on canvas, 11/15/23, $2,150 USD
Nakunda Mshana - Where the art is, Oil paint on canvas, 30’’x42’’ $5000
Yanki Kahan - Peace at Last, 8x8, 09/23/2023
My Linh Mac (Millie) - Verda Guatemala, Series: Ranbu, Torched Acrylic Painting, 8x8 in, 2019, NFS
Anise Atwell-Hudson - “Blessings”, digital photography, 2023
Orestis Sinis - Please Don't Move, 2023, 18'' x 24''
Simon Austin - Young Athena (Diptych), Oil paint on canvas 102cm x 26cm (overall) 51cm x 26cm per panel, 2023
Katherine Katzarov - Almighty Jesus Christ, “ 35x50 cm, mixed media, 2023, $300