The calm before the storm
by Paul

Comment:
Very good handling of high contrast while preserving detail. Reminds me of the feeling I get contemplating of works by Ansel Adams.

The Artist's Boat
by jomari

Comment:
Well-seen and well-captured bit of nature's doodling. This natural find that plays with ideas of abstract art works well in this challenge. I like the regular pattern of detail in the rope making a contrast with the free form reflections.

A Sense of Scale
by nam

Comment:
I am enjoying the shades of blue and rhythm of shapes in an image that evokes calm feelings. The foreground, initially seeming to be a dull candidate for cropping, plays on second look an interesting role with a subtle texture-like pattern involving darker and lighter blue that provides an intersting balance to the larger scale shapes.

Tempest
by pamb

Comment:
Processing to imitate paintings does not create art, but this image has drama in the dynamics of waves, light, rocks, and sky. That brings it into the world of art in the tradition of landscapes that have something extra to make us think. Evoking feelings of turmoil while still making room for appreciation of natural beauty makes an interesting combination.

Door
by sfalice

Comment:
Close to abstract art, with subtle and soft colors harmonizing nicely. Interesting how the glob of paint above the keyhole resembles an eyelid. I can imagine seeing this framed and displayed in an office reception area.

time
by MargaretNet

Comment:
One of my top picks for art connecting visually to the realm of meanings and emotions wile simultaneously being a beautiful composition. The strong diagonal of main elements combines well with the interesting use of sharp/not-sharp for conceptual contrast.

Just One of the Family
by vawendy

Comment:
Humor elevated to the realm of art. My eye goes first to the little girl, then to the women in the chairs, then to the presumed beach umbrella that generates quite the double take and laugh when finally recognized as a tall thin heron instead. Very fun.

Awakening
by Lydia

Comment:
Technically well executed, sharp with good colors and nice symmetry. Many people would value this as art to frame and hang on a wall. To my eye, this has a somewhat detached clinical quality reminding me of a scientific illustration. Still, others may find that a red flower around Valentines Day can elicit warmer emotions.

everything i see reminds me of her
by mefnj

Comment:
The image fires on all cylinders, with simple familiar toothpick shape manipulated in an exploration of contradictions between straight and curved, light and dark, foreground and background. It makes a beautiful abstract with hard dark shapes against fuzzy cloudy texture. Then the title elevates it to communication of familiar emotions around absence of another, eliciting a knowing smile that the mind finds reminders everywhere. It reminds us that reality may be affected by our predispositions and that our perceptions are affected by our history. Excellent art on more levels than many other entries.

Temple
by FromDaRock

Comment:
This falls into the realm of art as exploration of formal elements of design (shapes, space, lines, and the like) as well as stirring emotions aroused by beauty of a human form without evidence of clothing in an unexplained and complicated pose. Also falls into the realm of art as expression of beauty and connection to meanings.