News Photo by Darby Hinkley Alpena’s June Perry earned first place in Besser Museum’s Juried Art Show for her oil painting seen here, called “Hamilton Road.”

Alpena’s June Perry has been painting since she was a young girl. She has earned many awards for her talent, but she doesn’t do it for the recognition. She just loves to paint.

Perry earned first place in the Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan’s Juried Art Show, on display now through Dec. 30. The winners were honored at an artist reception Oct. 27.

“Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve always been painting,” said Perry, now 80. “My grandparents painted. My parents were never interested in painting. I was the only one who continued doing it in my family.”

Her first place oil painting on canvas is titled “Hamilton Road.”

“It’s a fall scene,” Perry said. “It goes down the road and around the bend.”

The sunlight is shining through the trees in her painting, awakening the warm colors to reveal a rich autumnal scene.

Professional artist Erwin Lewandowski judged the show. This is his summary for Perry’s first place painting: “‘Hamilton Road’ by artist June Perry is an exquisite painting filled with an interesting collection of colorful patterns, abundant highlights, and a long cast of assorted shadows. All of the elements seem to be in perfect harmony that presents a pathway leading you, the viewer, into a gentle nature composition.”

Second place in the juried art show went to Dahris Sue Wilson for her painting, “The Birds.”

“‘The Birds’ by Dahris Sue Wilson is a well-conceived image with plenty of movement within a simple setting,” Lewandowski’s summary said. “The painting features two adult birds descending into a colorful frame to reach their young chicks. A beautiful background of soft colors laced with gestural strokes and dot patterns of black and white compliment the overall composition.”

Stephanie LaFramboise earned third place for her drawing “The Visitor II.”

“‘The Visitor II’ by Stephanie LaFramboise is an excellent drawing that showcases a simple scene from nature,” Lewandowski’s summary said. “Setting the stage is a lone chickadee that appears to be viewing the background forest from a windown ledge. The piece is further enhanced by the concept of a framed subject within a picture frame.”

Earning honorable mentions were Anne Sonnenberg, Beverly Chase, Judy St. John, Christine Brackett, and Sharon Rickard.

Besser Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, at 491 Johnson Street in Alpena. Call 989-356-2202 or visit www.bessermuseum.org.

Reach Darby Hinkley at dhinkley@thealpenanews. com, or by phone at 989-354-3111 ext. 324.