Chalk art contest entries by Joyce Holt

Renton River Days annual event

Renton, Washington



2017

2017: SpecQuacklar (again)

theme: Specquackular

Once again I earned no awards. *sigh*

I did come THIS CLOSE to heat stroke, so I regret to announce that this is the last time I'll participate in the chalk art contest at Renton River Days. :(


2016

2016: The Ducks Stop Here

theme: The Ducks Stop Here

Nine folks entered the professional artist category this year... and I didn't place at all. ( sigh )

Judging criteria are: use of color, originality, and theme. My entry, more colorful this year, took a very original slant of the theme but perhaps my sense of humor is too subtle. Or too wacky.

Once again I enjoyed many exclamations of "Wow!!" from onlookers, and quite a few people took photos.


2015

Attended PNWA writers conference the day of the contest.


2014

2014: Shake, Waddle and Roll

theme: Shake, Waddle and Roll

Ten folks entered the professional artist category this year... and I didn't place at all. ( sigh )

I did enjoy many exclamations of "Wow!!" from onlookers, which is a big pick-me-up.


2013

2013: SpecQuackular

theme: SpecQuackular

Honorable Mention in the Professional Artist category

(out of 9 entrants in the professional category)

I didn't plan it, didn't even notice it until I was looking later at photos, but the bottom line of the eye chart seems to read "awesome"!!!

My research into mallards from last year came in handy again. This one took two hours to do.

Out of my twelve entries thus far, only four have filled the square with truly flat artwork. The rest are attempts at 3D illusion, to one degree or another.


2012

2012: Duck Into Fun

theme: Duck Into Fun

Honorable Mention in the Professional Artist category

Not bad, considering I competed madly for only the first hour of the three-hour contest then dashed off to catch a train...

The off-screen caption (oops) reads "Where's the Party?"


2011

2011: The Magic Continues

theme: The Magic Continues

I won First Place in Professional Artist category, decided by a panel of art judges, AND People's Choice, as voted by spectators!


2010: The Frog Prince

2010: 25 Years of Magic in the Park

theme: 25 Years of Magic in the Park

I won Honorable Mention in Professional Artist category, decided by a panel of art judges, AND People's Choice, as voted by spectators!


2009

family emergency at literally the last minute... and while I was diverted, someone else appropriated my entry square... *sigh*


2008

2008: Explore the Heart of Renton


theme: Explore the Heart of Renton

I won First Place in Professional Artist category, decided by a panel of art judges, AND Best in Show, as voted by spectators!


2007

(hands crippled with carpal tunnel problems)


2006

2006: celebrate the heat

theme: Celebrate the Heart of Renton

I took 2nd place in Professional Artist category.

This is supposed to be a large ice cube, beginning to melt. It had been a blazing hot week, and still was sweltering at the time of the contest. Notice the theme mentions "heart," but in my caption the "R" has fallen out, and now it reads "heat."




2005

2005: Cedar River trail

theme: Discover the Heart of Renton

I took 2nd place in Professional Artist category.


2004

2004: hat, chalk, can: all illusion!

theme: Hats Off to Renton

I took 2nd place in Professional Artist category.


2003

(scheduling conflict: attended a writers conference instead)


2002

2002: the Lacemaker...with flowers instead

theme: Meet Me at the Market

I took 2nd place in Professional Artist category.

This piece of artwork is an adaptation of a famous 17th century painting by Vermeer. Originally shown working at lace on a cushion, "The Lacemaker" had already been adopted by Renton's Sewing Machine Service Company (fronting on Main St) in a huge and clever mural on the back of the building showing the lacemaker at work on an old-fashioned sewing machine. That mural has since been painted over with a different one.


2001

2001: jigsaw puzzle

theme: Renton's centennial

I took 1st place in Professional Artist category!


2000

2000: indian art salmon

I took Best in Show!

I learned to be more careful in choosing my square, plotting out where shadows would fall by the time the contest finished.


1999

(out of town at time of contest)


1998

(first year the festival included a chalk art contest)

1998: sepia portrait

I took 1st place!