World’s Best Abstract Artists: PESIC GROZDANOV, RIVAS, BRENNAN, WATSON, LEIMKUELLER, CHASOV, POPOVA & ŠIMOLIŪNIENĖ / 2026 Art Collectors Choice Awards
Artists from 47 countries competed in the 2026 ART COLLECTORS CHOICE AWARDS. 16 international art collectors scored 50 categories of online images covering drawing, painting, sculpture, digital and photography.
The winning works will be revealed in this column one category at a time.
The ART COLLECTORS CHOICE AWARDS winners in CATEGORY 6. ABSTRACT represent MACEDONIA, SPAIN, GERMANY, USA, AUSTRIA, RUSSIA & LITHUANIA.
BIO of 1st Place Winner: Divna Pešić Grozdanov — Artist and Sports Legend
Born in 1979 in Kavadarci, Macedonia, Divna Pešić Grozdanov is a unique figure who combines the precision of sport shooting with the explosive energy of abstract expressionism. She graduated from the Faculty of Philology and earned a master’s degree from the Faculty of Economics, yet her life has been deeply dedicated to both sports and art.
Her shooting career began at the age of six under the guidance of her father, the legendary Blagoj Pešić — recognized as the greatest rifle coach in the history of Macedonia. Divna is considered the best shooter of all time in Macedonia, having achieved the following during her sporting career:
• 37 national records in both male and female categories / Two-time Balkan Champion / Competed in two Olympic Games / 15th place in the World Cup / Numerous first-place awards in international tournaments.
As an artist working in oil on canvas, Divna has maintained an active career for 33 years, with around 50 solo and group exhibitions worldwide. Her unique powerful art style called DIVNISM has received global recognition — she was named the world’s best abstract expressionist by the World Art Awards, as well as by the American Art Awards, selected by 25 top galleries and museums in the world and the United States.
Among her most notable international awards, in addition to those mentioned above, are:
• First Prize at the Top Art Awards 2022
• Winner of the Art Curator Choice Award 2023/2024 and 2024/2025
• Recipient of the Career Art Awards 2023, Sanremo, Italy
• The Luxembourg Art Prize 2022, awarded by the prestigious Pinacotheque Museum
• International Prize Donatello 2023, Florence, Italy
• Named Ambassador of Art 2024
For art collectors, owning an oil painting by Divna Pešić Grozdanov is not only a source of daily visual delight but also a wise investment — among her many collectors is none other than Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Divna Pešić Grozdanov is a prominent member of the Macedonian diaspora who lives and works in New Jersey, USA. She is married and a mother of two. Active in her community, she currently serves as President of the Macedonian Olympic Diaspora, an organization under the umbrella of the Macedonian Olympic Committee, dedicated to supporting the Macedonian sports community abroad, preserving national culture, and connecting Macedonians worldwide through sports and cultural activities. www.divnapesic.com
WINNER WEBSITES/CONTACTS: CATEGORY 6. ABSTRACT
1st Place DIVNA PESIC GROZDANOV MACEDONIA www.divnapesic.com “Purification” 48x24” Oil on canvas.
2nd Place — Tie RAMÓN RIVAS SPAIN http://www.rivismo.com “Mozart In A Fairy Garden” 195x195cm Mixed media-Rivismo on canvas.
2nd Place — Tie WILLIAM FRANCIS BRENNAN GERMANY www.william-francis-brennan.com “On The Subway-Train” 100x100cm Acrylic, oil, canvas.
3rd Place — Tie NICHOLAS WATSON USA https://www.nickwatsonart.com “Abstract #024–25” 36x24" Acrylic, wood panel.
3rd Place — Tie TATIANA LEIMKUELLER USA/AUSTRIA https://mysculptureanddrawings.tilda.ws/portfolio “GeomAbst III” 49x31cm Acrylic, canvas, digital.
4th Place — Tie YOURI CHASOV RUSSIA https://www.saatchiart.com/chasoffart “I Think Abstractly” 40x50cm Acrylic on canvas.
4th Place — Tie SVETLANA POPOVA MACEDONIA svetlanapopova20@yahoo.com “Cycle: Colorful Emotions / I Sold My Ferrari” 60x80cm Acrylic on canvas.
5th Place — Tie DIVNA PESIC GROZDANOV MACEDONIA www.divnapesic.com “Where Brilliance Stands Alone” 36x48” Oil.
5th Place — Tie TATIANA LEIMKUELLER USA/AUSTRIA https://mysculptureanddrawings.tilda.ws/portfolio “The Circles Four” 49x31cm Pencil, paper, digital.
6th Place — Tie ANGELĖ ŠIMOLIŪNIENĖ LITHUANIA https://www.instagram.com/angelesimoliuniene/ “A Look Into The Cosmic World” 64x44cm Acrylic on paper.
6th Place — Tie NICHOLAS WATSON USA https://www.nickwatsonart.com “Abstract #014–25” 36x324" Acrylic, wood panel.
See hundreds of winning images and corresponding contact info to all the artists here:
In 2026, ART COLLECTORS CHOICE AWARDS had submissions from these 47 countries: Angola, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Cuba, Egypt, France, Germany, Hungary, Japan, India, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Panama, Poland, Republic Of Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Trinidad, Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, UK, Ukraine, USA, Zimbabwe.
16 international art collectors asked to score art:
Jason Stuckless — Toronto, Ontario
Joel Brown — Jackson, Mississippi
Kene J. Rosa — Los Angeles, California
Michael Gregg Michaud — Los Angeles, California
Alec Wilder — Los Angeles / Las Vegas / New Orleans
Eddie Dyer — Los Angeles / Las Vegas / New Orleans
Thomas Zora — Las Vegas
Ron Lundin — Naples, Florida / Chicago, Illinois / Vail, Colorado
Jay H. Brewer — Orlando, Florida
Alan McMullen — Fannettsburg, Philadelphia
Brian Townley — Waco, Texas
Aimee Unakis — Georgetown, Illinois
Carole Hatcher — Rancho Mirage, California
Jan Gold — Roseville, California
Karen Valentine — Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Mitchell Antesky — Toledo Ohio
