Garth Herrick's Apotheoun is a Smithsonian Competition Semifinalist

[Marcus Lim]

Originally Posted by Allan Rahbek

Congrathulations,
I wish that I could see this masterpiece in person.

You can say that again Allan!
Congratulations Garth! The sun of success seems to be on your path, and i continue to see this happening in the times to come. Alas i can't view the masterpiece of yours as much as i want to. Do continue to astound us with more new works of yours!

[Jane Bradley]

I want to add my congratulations - this is a wonderful painting!!

[Heidi Maiers]

Woo hoo - fantastic news Garth!
Yikes - 4000 submissions did you say? Well, there goes all my hope right out the window for making the cut.

I predict that not only will this painting make the finals, it will likely be among the top ten!

We're all rooting for you buddy.

[Garth Herrick]

Dear Lacey, David, Julie, Allan (again), Cynthia, Lisa, Marcus, Jane, and Heidi,

Many, many thanks! You all mean so much to me.

"Beyond"? I still feel pretty regular. Maybe something will sink in after a few days.

Allan: There were moments in this painting's development and evolution when edges and transitions clashed and crashed. You are right. Just a small misplaced value can feel like a house of cards collapsing. It did have those moments! It took a while for everything to seem to be in sync. I had the title picked out from an early stage of development since it seemed an off-spring of the earlier painting incorporating apotheosis in its title.

Marcus: I like your spiritual wording. I hope some of that actually applies here where dismal thoughts of reality are never far off either. I need to channel more positive thoughts. Thanks!

Heidi: Don't be afraid of mere numbers. It is quality, content, and substance that matters. You already have that going for you! .....A top ten?? Is there such a category in this competition? I picture a top one or two, and the rest on an even plane, but I am probably wrong. Top 120 or 50 would be fantastic in my mind! I better study the prospectus again.

Garth

[Claudemir Bonfim]

Thanks for taking time to explain that to me Garth. I already loved the painting before knowing the meaning of the title, now it is even more expressive in my eyes.

[Linda Brandon]

Wow, Garth! This is fantastic news, and I'm so happy for you! I've loved this painting since the first time I saw it and I'm not surprised the judges feel the same way.

[Tom Edgerton]

Garth--

Just got back in town and saw this wonderful news.

As Linda said, seeing this painting "in the flesh" reveals a command of technique that's simply astounding. Plus, it's one of the more evocative images I've ever seen--contemporary and timeless simultaneously, as all good art is. I've seen paintings in this country's major public galleries I know I won't remember, but I'll never get this one out of my mind.

You're the real thing.

Best--TE

[Enzie Shahmiri]

Congratulations Garth, what wonderful news! When will the notification of winners be?

[Garth Herrick]

Thanks so much John and Enzie!

The notification of winners ( I guess you mean those included in the exhibition) will come on March 15, 2006, just following the second, final round of jurying. The purpose of the second round, is to judge the semifinalist submissions in actual presence before the jury, so the quality, finish and contextual impact of the work can be experienced firsthand. The first round of jurying we just got through was by either submission of a slide or small digital image. The Smithsonian Institution is paying for the shipping of the original semifinalist's works to the National Portrait Gallery, and the judging will take place during that first or second week in March. The final show opens to the public on July 1, 2006. I bet that final selection will be interesting to see; I hope so!

Garth

[Jean Kelly]

Congrats to you, Garth! I'm not surprised in the least. You are an exceptional artist.

Jean