Current Exhibition

Our sixth Art competition “Faces” started in April 2025 and concluded on May 08, 2025. Art Room Gallery received entries from many countries around the world: Austria, France, China, USA, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, Cyprus and Mexico. The Faces theme in this competition included a diversity in types, styles and mediums (oil on canvas, acrylic, charcoal, pastel, photography, digital art). The following evaluation criteria has been used for judging the artwork: creativity, interpretation of the theme, originality and quality of art, overall design, demonstration of artistic ability, and usage of medium. Jury decided to select 45 artworks for inclusion in the exhibition. Aside from First, Second, and Third place Jury also presented Merit awards and Honorable Mention awards.

Thank you, and enjoy the exhibition!

First place

Statement:

My inspirations are sea, light and the way they interact to create reflections and vibrant colours. The pursuit of extreme realism in my subjects, combined with the definition of my personal style through the use of colours, is a testament to my constant commitment to perfecting my work and communicating my vision. Drawing inspiration from the shimmering surface of the water, I explore the enchanting play of light and reflection, capturing fleeting moments of tranquillity and introspection. Each painting becomes a mirror, reflecting not only the world around us but also the emotions, memories and dreams that lie beneath the surface of our consciousness, and the peaceful feeling I experience when creating each piece. Today I present myself and my art to the world with the serenity of someone who found their path, with the intent to create testimony to the beauty of light and sea, and with an invitation to find peace within ourselves, even when the waves of life seem to crash against the rocks of our existence.

Statement:

I am a self taught artists working in water based medium, mainly acrylic, but also at times gouache and water-colour. I am a hyperrealism painter fascinated by the world around me. I am very drawn to shiny surfaces as well as transparent objects, especially when the lighting brings them to life. I look for beauty in everyday objects that most people take for granted or just don’t truly see them as they are. The seemingly boring and mundane subjects can truly be like magnets if portrayed in the right light. Shiny metal is one of those materials that can host endless visions….the light hits it and the reflections are captured on the smooth, sleek surface…people and animals especially the eyes...an artists dream! My future art plans are to paint the countless subjects I have chosen to become paintings and to share my art with as many people as I can. "To take my inner visions with my hands and create a work of art for you the viewer .... That is the ultimate in self expression."

Statement:

Shawna Hinkel is a Master Photographer and Certified Professional Photographer from Dallas, Texas. She has a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Texas A&M University, and has been a professional photographer since 2004. She earned her PPA Certification in 2014 and PPA Master of Photography degree in 2019. She was awarded Life Membership in Dallas PPA in 2020, and earned her Accredited Professional of Animal Imagery degree in 2021. In 2023, she became the second Master of WPE from the United States, and also became a Master Photographer in Fine Art from MPI. Her work has been accepted in the PPA International Photographic Competition Annual Exhibition every year since 2016, with images published in the annual Showcase Collection and Loan Collection books as well. She was the Dallas Professional Photographers Association Photographer of the Year in 2017 and 2018, and was named as one of the Top 10 photographers in Texas in 2020. She also received the American Society of Photographers’ State Elite Award in 2020. She has won a variety of other awards, and has been featured in multiple art gallery exhibitions. She currently serves as 2025 President of Texas Professional Photographers Association and Co-Editor-in-Chief/Copy Editor of ASP Magazine. There are so many wonderful animals in the world. Some are jovial and funny; some are shy and reserved. It is amazing to watch them interact with each other and observe how much like humans they are. They show a variety of personalities and emotions. Spending the time to get to know them and see their individuality is very rewarding. I hope more people can find a deeper understanding and affection for them. If we spent more effort helping to save them and their environments, what a better world it would be.