On Saturday, February 22nd, the Paint-Off Competition took center stage as part of the Stars of Texas Juried Art Exhibit, presented by the Arts Council of Brownwood. The competition, held in the Depot Ballroom, brought together 20 talented artists who showcased their creativity in a live, six-hour painting event. Throughout the day, attendees had the opportunity to watch the artists work and place bids on the finished pieces in a silent auction.

The Paint-Off competition was judged by acclaimed Abilene artist, Anthony Brown, who evaluated each work based on creativity, technique, and overall impact. The competition culminated in exciting announcements of the winners, with cash prizes awarded to the top artists.

$500 First Place: Sue Bagwell, Granbury – “Serenity”

The First Place prize of $500 was awarded to Sue Bagwell of Granbury for her painting titled “Serenity.” Bagwell shared her inspiration, saying, “The concept of this piece came from my love of icons. It’s somewhat unique because I painted it on black tar paper. I chose this combination because the six-hour time limit required me to work quickly. I generally paint slowly, but I found that I could paint joyfully and fast on the tar paper.”

Bagwell expressed her gratitude, stating, “I was both surprised and thrilled to be selected as one of the winners. Most importantly, I was moved by the support the City of Brownwood has for the arts. As an outsider, I instantly fell in love with Brownwood and its people.”

$250 Second Place: Sandra McSwain, Brownwood – “Into the Woods”
The Second Place prize of $250 went to Sandra McSwain of Brownwood for her pastel piece “Into the Woods.” McSwain painted on sanded pastel board, drawing inspiration from her childhood experiences. “As a child, I was fortunate to play in the woods near a stock pond, which has influenced the subject of many of my landscapes,” McSwain explained.

She added, “When competing, your artwork needs ‘wall power.’ It must stand out and engage the viewer, especially if it’s a smaller piece. I wanted to capture that essence in my painting.”
The Stars of Texas Juried Art Exhibit Committee extends its sincere thanks to all the artists who participated, as well as to Judge Anthony Brown for his expertise and contributions. The Paint-Off event highlighted the incredible talent in our community and beyond, fostering an atmosphere of support for the arts in Brownwood.