Wild and Free, an oil painting by Granbury artist Van Johnson won the hearts of the visitors at the 2011 Stars of Texas Juried Art Exhibit in Brownwood.

According to Iris Rudeseal (Pictured above with Wild and Free) of the Brownwood Art Association, Johnson was the “Runaway Winner with by 30 votes”.  The total votes cast this year were 570.

The artists’ statement of the painting reads:

“I really enjoyed doing this painting.  I wanted to convey the freedom and the pride of the wild horses in their natural habitat.  Their faces show that they are alert to something in the distance.  I liked painting the colors on their hairs caused by the setting sun, and the wind blowing their manes and tails.

Jurors comment:

“Beautiful capture of light, amazing technique.”

Other artists receiving awards during the Diane and Tommy Winn Paint off Competition Saturday were:

• $500 First Place:  Pat Chaney, Graham, Texas
• $250 Second Place:  Denise Sommer, Brownwood, Texas
• Special Jurors Award:  Linda Eggleston, Brownwood, Texas