Grey Cube Gallery proudly presents the sixth Portrait online art show for the month of January 2026. The show encompassed a range of artistic styles and mediums (acrylic on canvas, graphite, watercolor, oil, colored pencil, scratchboard, digital art, photography). Each submission has been judged based on the following elements of artistic expression: orginality and quality of art, overall design, creativity, interpretation of the theme, demonstration of artistic ability and usage of medium. Out of all entries, 61 artworks were shortlisted for inclusion in the show. The competition attracted entries from many countries across the world: USA, Belgium, South Africa, Canada, UK, Singapore, Ukraine, Australia, France, Cyprus, Taiwan, Spain, Germany and Netherlands. Enjoy the show and thank you for expressing an interest in our competition.

My art explores identity, emotion, and legacy. Through portraits, I capture not just likeness but essence, using bold palettes and textures to evoke nostalgia, intrigue, and reflection inviting viewers to connect with deeper stories. Legacy, history & experience that’s what makes the story telling, by way of oil & acrylic mediums, by Jay Johnsen approachable, relevant & enduring.

Dr. Georgina Macken is inspired by her fascination of the soul which resides within the face and eyes of her subjects. Additionally influenced by non-verbal communication, internationally renowned Australian portrait painter, Dr. Macken captures the human spirit as she illustrates unique stories in a single frame. Seizing upon the special dynamic facial expression or gesture, her watercolor-on-paper portraits organically weave a rich tapestry of her subjects, who are often babies or children. Illuminating the spontaneous joy of her subjects, she eternally encapsulates their sparkling personalities for future generations.

Cher Pruys, ASAA SCA, IGOR, AAPL, CSAA, AMS, LMS, OSA, MAA, CFA, NOAPS, PSOA, AWA., AAOA. "To take my inner visions with my hands and create a work of art for you the viewer .... That is the ultimate in self expression." Cher Pruys was born in Regina. Over the years she lived in many places including Saskatoon, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Fort Frances, settling into her present home in Devlin, on the banks of the Rainy River with her husband Mark, and pets. By age three, Cher was seldom found without a drawing tool in hand. She worked in pencil, charcoal and ink over the years, picking up a paintbrush at the age of 35. Beginning with oil paints, she found her chosen mediums in acrylic, watercolor and gouache, and her passion for hyperrealism. Although self-taught, her dedication and talent has seen her work juried into 943 International exhibits. She has acquired 1436 awards for her work in the International Juried Exhibits. Her work has graced the covers of 3 books, 43 magazines, including The Best Of Acrylic Fall 2021, cover of the May 2022 Arabella Magazine, #20 Hyperrealism Magazine with “Girls Girls Girls”, & #21 with “The Young Cowboy”, Artists & Illustrators March 2024 Artistonish 2024 July edition, Observica Elite 2024,Art Closeup Magazine#26 Jan. 2025, The back cover of Novum Artis #007, 2025, & Hyperrealism Magazine Special Edition 2025, The Amazing World Of Cher Pruys. She has been featured in over 850 International publications. Cher's works have found a permanent home in private and public collections worldwide.

The Dead Zone series was inspired by media reports of the rapid rise in industrial and agricultural runoffs occurring in oceans, lakes, rivers, esturaries and deltas worldwide. Over fishing in the past 50 years has driven the population of large fish down by 90 percent. Add in climate change acidifying and warming the waters, this lessens its ability to hold oxygen suffocating marine life. But there may be a light at the end of the tunnel. Scientists have stated that dead zones due to human activity are reversible if their causes are reduced or eliminated. Surely a challenge and an uphill battle.