Allison Krajcik of North Easton, MA. Received an award in the national open juried exhibition “Shades of Pastel” sponsored by the Maryland Pastel Society.

 The pastel painting “Pear Trio” was selected “Best Still Life” and received the Betty Knight Memorial Award. The juror for the exhibition was nationally known artist Duane Wakeham, a northern California painter. He was named, Master Pastelist in 1995 by the Pastel Society of America and elected to their Hall of Fame in 2000. There were eighty-six pieces selected for the exhibition from hundreds of entries by artists from across the United States.

 The pastel painting explores the concept of a color’s temperature and its relative effects. The three Bartlett pears are viewed from above with dramatic lighting casting shadows which present a strong composition that is countered by the warmly lit and delicate surfaces characteristic of the fruit.

 The exhibition can be viewed at the Charles Sumner School Museum in the historic district of Washington D. C. through the end of January 2007.

 Allison is also a juried member of the Oil Painter’s of America and is represented by Art House Gallery of Brewster and The Wellfleet Collection of Newton Center.