We all choke on emotions within us that we frequently do not allow them to escape and start crumbling from within. To me the true power of art is the artist ability to express themselves, their thoughts, emotions, things hidden deep within just waiting to erupt. Everyone has something to say, be that beauty, pain, misery, joy, it is all the special things that make us, and hold us whole from within.

With this contest I would like to invite the artists on Deviant Art to express the things within them through their artworks, to allow those emotions to escape, the secrets to come to light, to bare the soul. I would like you to let your emotions scream on top of their lungs through your work. (open theme)

Rules
Up to 3 entries per person, any PURE TRADITIONAL style accepted
Work has to be done purely by traditional media (oil, watercolour, pencil, sculpture, mixed media...)
Only types of digital manipulations permitted are those that:
a.try to match the digital picture of the artwork to the traditional artwork you have done (adjustment of colour, brightness, colours and levels, crop)
b.borders allowed
c. watermarks allowed
d. no other digital enhancements allowed
e. works suspected of digital work will be immediately disqualified
Works have to be original done by you, if references have been used please list them, and make sure that you have permission to use the reference image
All works have to comply to all DA policies
Prizes are not transferable, only one award per person
In the Artist comment make a link to the contest news announcement, and mention this contest, as well as explain what you wanted to express through your artwork
Artworks have to be made for this contest, old works will not be accepted
We reserve the right not to award the prizes if we do not find works suitable to receive it, (for example if i get only 1 entry for this and its a doodle it wont get a prize) all judges will have to agree on this decision
Entries close May 10
Winners will be announced as soon judges have finished voting
all work has to be submitted to category: contests & Projects -> contests -> 2008 -> Express It.

Judging Process

Upon the conclusion of the contest the judges will look through all the work submitted and narrow it down to their top 5. Each judge will do few sentences writeup why they liked each work and order it 1 to 5. The numbers will be tallied. In case there are no definite winners the shortlist will be created and the voting process will be repeated, until there are clear winners. The results will be posted shortly after and prizes issued.

Judges


Prizes
1st prize: 50 deviant dollars + fella plushie
2nd prize 25 deviant dollars+ 6 month sub
3rd prize 6 month sub
Highly commended news feature

Now get on and create!! Good luck to everyone!