GRANITEVILLE — What started out as a text message from her future grandson-in-law led to an award for a Warrenville woman Saturday evening.
Betty Puckett received a best in show award at the reception for Better World Studio's "The World of Water" art show on Saturday evening.
Better World Studios is a nonprofit arts facility located in the Hickman Hall building in Graniteville.
The studio described the show as a "tribute to the joy and essential spirit of water, inviting viewers to dive into a sea of imagination and reflection."
Puckett's painting is spread across three canvases. It features an early morning scene in a swamp.
She said the center canvas derives from a text message she received from her grandson-to-be who was out hunting.
Practical reasons led Puckett to expand the piece to three canvases.
"I actually needed a bigger space to go over my couch so that's why there's three," Puckett said.
The paintings also feature ducks and a goose flying through the pre-dawn air.
"I live on a creek and I see birds all the time and they come and go," Puckett said. "I'm in love with birds."
Puckett said she paints at Better World Studios and decided to enter the show because of her love of Graniteville. She added she didn't think she would win because there were a lot of great artists with work in the show.
"Heavens, no [I didn't think I would win,]" Puckett said. "You've got to be kidding me. I'm without words."
Aiken artist Joya Jimenez DiStefano judged the show.
She said it wasn't her thing to select "winning art" but added she wanted to select artwork showing the fragility of water as a resource and how that fragility might impact the future.
"When I got done, I said it's got to be Betty Puckett's… with the water and the animals," DiStefano said. "There's a little bit of foreboding in those images."
She said it's unclear if the painting is at dusk or dawn which speaks to the fragility of the resource.
Puckett said she wanted the painting to show the beauty of nature.
In total, 25 artists have 74 pieces on display as part of the show.
Organizers include DiStefano, Sally Donovan, Carolyn Bohn, Amy Ness, Mary Ann Brock and Linda Purdy.
The art show will continue through April 28 at the Hickman Hall building located at 125 Marshall St. in Graniteville.
The public is invited to view the art work from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.
For more information about Better World Studios, visit betterworldstudios.org.
