To contact these Best in Show artists directly for purchase inquiries or to see more of their work, please visit the 4th Into the Wild Exhibition page for contact information.
Congratulations again to all the winners and thank you for sharing your talent with us.
Best in Show (Traditional) – Annik Janssens – “Hope” – pastel
Annik Janssens has had throughout her life a tremendous passion for animals and everything that has to do with nature. Ever since she was a little toddler all she wanted to do was draw ‘critters’. However, shortly after her training as a graphic designer, she put the pencils aside and took a completely different path professionally. Until a few years ago someone asked her to make a portrait of his dog,then a second portrait followed, and she has been unstoppable ever since… Annik strives to convert her passion for animals into realistic pastel portraits where she tries to approach the character of the animal as much as possible.
To see more of Annik’s work, please visit her website.
Best in Show (Photography & Digital) – Elizabeth Kayl – “Sunset Sentinel” – photography
I have always been told that I have an “eye” for capturing a good photograph. Driving down the road or walking along a city sidewalk, I am constantly seeking to find that perfect composition or subject to frame in my mind, hoping that my camera is with me. It wasn’t until the pandemic hit that I became serious about sharing my work with a broader audience than just my family and have been pleased with the success I have received in doing so. As a photographer by passion and not trade, I am intrigued by both the ordinary and extraordinary, particularly drawn toward unusual landscapes, birds, and architecture.
Elizabeth has had her work included into juried gallery shows in 32 different US states and in 3 international countries in 2020, 2021 and 2022 to date. Elizabeth has recently won a Juror’s Award, two Best in Show Awards, a First Place Award and a Visitor’s Choice. Her work has been featured in many permanent public art locations, as well. By day, she is employed as the Director of Parks and Recreation for the beautiful art-inspired City of Loveland, Colorado.
To see more of Elizabeth’s work, please visit her website.
Best in Show (3-Dimensional) – Douglas Aja – “Tim” – bronze
Douglas Aja has been sculpting African wildlife since the late 1990s. Though he sculpts a variety of species, he specializes in the African elephant. Many elephants are known individuals from Amboseli National Park in Kenya. Aja’s bronze sculptures are in the private collections of elephant researchers Cynthia Moss and Joyce Poole, wildlife cinematographer Martyn Colbeck, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, the Bennington Center for the Arts, North Carolina Central University and NBA great and Basketball Hall of Famer Sam Jones. Aja donates 35% of all sales to several conservation organizations.
To see more of Doug’s work, please visit his website.
