Duane Hicks
Local artist Cher Pruys continues to soar to success on the international aviation painting scene, recently winning first-place in the General Aviation Category of the American Society of Aviation Artists 2009 International Aerospace Exhibition for the second-straight year.
“I am just thrilled to have won first place again this year as it is a real honour,” Pruys said Monday.
“I did it again. I can’t believe it,” she enthused.
The competition was held at the Mighty Eighth Airforce Museum in Savannah, Ga.
The American Society of Aviation Artists 2009 International Aerospace Exhibition is the largest contest of its kind in the world, noted Pruys.
There were more than 330 entries, with a panel of judges choosing 39 works to be juried into the competition.
“Entries came from all over the world,” Pruys said. “Just getting juried into the competition is a real feat.”
Her winning entry, “Airbase,” is an acrylic-and-watercolour depiction of Rusty Myers’ base here.
Last year, her painting, “Remote Waters,” placed first in the General Aviation Category.
While the first-place honour brings with it a cash award, more importantly the painting will be featured in a two-page colour spread in Aviation Week and Space Technology’s end-of-the-year special photo and art edition out in December, noted Pruys.
She added the magazine is the largest aviation publication in print, reaching millions worldwide, with offices in the U.S., Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
“I find it really exciting to think that a scene from Fort Frances will be viewed around the world,” she remarked.
Pruys said she’s “been so fortunate to have had a string of wins in this competition in the past few years,” netting third-place in 2006, second in 2007, a first last year, and now another first in 2009.
“I am racking my brain trying to come up with a piece for next year now,” she noted.
The exhibition opened June 21 and runs through to Jan. 3, 2010.
Meanwhile, Pruys continues to stay busy with many projects.
The book of her paintings that was published last year sold out, and a second edition is now available.
Limited edition gicles of “Airbase” also are available.
Both can be seen at www.artbycher.ca
