A few weeks ago we announced the Art, Whisky & Cake Contest. It was your chance to nominate an up-and-coming artist as Alberta Whisky Cake’s newest Unbridled Spirit selection. It’s been fun working with the Whisky Baker, Kamla McGonigal, and her company’s mission of promoting the western culture, especially in light of the recent flooding devastation in Alberta. The theme fits beautifully with the “unfolding the real West” mission statement of Western Horse Review, and besides, who could resist partnering with such an enthusiastic entrepreneur as Kam.
Check back here for the original post, but the gist of the contest is that each Alberta Whisky Cake comes with an exclusive AWC Unbridled Spirits certificate, which can be presented directly to a select list of AWC artists to receive $35 off of your purchase price, on an individual piece of art valued at $100 or more. Viewers were charged with nominating their favorite artists to be the next Unbridled Spirit. These artists are folks who are involved heavily in the arts, and have not yet become renowned or rewarded for their exceptional dedication to their creative work.
Kam was charged with choosing three finalists, and via this post and Facebook, you get to determine one final Unbridled Spirit winner.
When she wasn’t testing out new recipes in her kitchen, Kam poured over all the nominations and began to make her choices. I could tell she was having a difficult time; given all the amazing talent that had been dished up, choosing three finalists was going to be difficult.
Sometime during the process she wondered in an e-mail to me. . . ” if I should just go with using ALL of these (love them all!)”
No, Kam, you have to choose three. Those are the rules.
So, she did. She picked three artists, and I’m going to show you a piece of each of their work here. In the comment section, go ahead and vote on your favorite. The bonus: all original nominations notes and all votes will go into a hat and we’ll draw a winner for an Alberta Whisky Cake.
I suppose I can’t really vote, but if I could, I would be all over this for that reason alone.
Meet the finalists:
Karen Coe is a Lethbridge, Alberta artist who recently received the distinction of having two of her pieces juried into the prestigious Calgary Stampede Art Auction.
Julia Palmer is a photographer and rancher who lives in southern Alberta. Her subject matter is primarily cattle, cowboys and the changing seasons.
Heather Gessell is a fine artist from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan with a focus on pets, horses and vintage cars.
There you have it, three talented western artists. Vote for your favorite in the comment section below and be entered to win an Alberta Whisky Cake!
Comments
221 responses to “Art, Whisky & Cake Contest”
I am voting for Heather Gessell.
All are extremely talented artists…Karen Coe gets my vote :)
Heather Gessell is my favourite!
Voting for Heather Gessel
Beautiful picture done by Heather Gessell!
She has my vote!
it is hard all three are very good. But the beautiful horse gets my vote
“Heather Gessell has my vote.
Beautiful picture Heather Gessell! You have my vote for “Between Classes” – good luck!
My vote is for Heather Gessell. Beautiful artwork!
All are awesome! I vote for Heather Gessell from Saskatoon.
I vote for Heather Gessell!
I am voting for Julia Palmer. Her photograph of the cowboy roping captures the unique bond between horse and rider. This is the spirit of the West. Bravo Julia!!
Amazing work Heather!
I’m loving the art by Heather Gessell.
Love the picture by Heather Gessell. That’s where my vote is going!
Heather Gessell gets my vote! Between Classes is amazing.
Heather Gessell’s “Between Classes”
Heather Gessell gets my vote! Very talented!
Heather Gessell but certainly not an easy decision to reach.
Beautiful work Heather! Heather Gessell gets my vote!!
I would like to vote for Heather Gessell!
I would like to vote for Heather Gessell. Best I have seen in a long time. from: Jean Vollmering
Karen Coe has my vote :)
Karen Coe! I swear that bull is channeling Clings eastwood!
*Clint*
I vote For Karen Coe!!! One beautiful painting!!!
Vote for Heather Gesssell
Karen Coe Awesome talent .. she gets my vote !!!
Karen Coe!!
My vote is for Karen Coe and “Take Your Eight and Shove It!”
I love Karen Coe’s work. Each picture has “attitude” to the max! Thank you for featuring her work.
Karen Coe gets my vote
Vote for Heather Gessell Between Classes! Beautiful picture
Between Classes has my vote! That fuzzy muzzle, I would be tempted to touch the painting to see if it is as soft as I imagine it is! All three are interesting in their own way but I could stare at this one for hours.
Karen Meaker-Coe gets my vote!
I vote for Heather Gessel
Karen Coe gets my vote!
heather gessell has my vote today..
Heather Gessell Between Classes gets my vote!
Between Classes gets my vote!
Heather Gessell is the best artist out there vote for her!!!!!
Although all the artists are very good…my vote is for Karen Coe
Karen Coe, “Take your eight and shove it” has my vote!
I vote Karen Coe!!!
Karen Coe has my vote :)
I vote for Karen Coe! Love her art!
Take your eight and shove it!!!! Karen Coe!!!
Heather Gessell love her work.
Has to be Karen Coe! Her picture is amazing!!
Karen Coe has my vote
Vote for Heather G