World’s Best Oil Portraitists: SMAL, PAULSEN, EGG, ZEJNIC, DEBAUN, SERSTINSKAJA, RICHLIN, BOLEN & ROBLES / 2025 Art Collectors Choice Awards
Artists from 49 countries competed in the 2025 ART COLLECTORS CHOICE AWARDS. 15 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 1. OIL — FIGURE represent SOUTH AFRICA, NORWAY, AUSTRIA, BOSNIA, HERZEGOVINA, USA, LITHUANIA, JAPAN & PHILIPPINES.
BIO OF 1ST PLACE WINNER:
Marguerite Smal is a self-taught South African artist whose work is deeply rooted in the exploration of identity, societal roles, and the natural world. Born and raised in Pretoria, Marguerite’s passion for art was ignited during her high school years under the guidance of her art teacher, Mr. Marcus Coetser. His influence left a lasting impact on her creative development, shaping her approach to both technique and storytelling.
In 2020, Marguerite made a bold shift, leaving behind her successful career as a software developer to pursue her true calling as an artist. She started a small leather workshop, which allowed her to channel her creativity into various artistic endeavors, from handmade leather goods to intricate visual art. This decision marked a significant turning point in her life, enabling her to dedicate herself fully to her art and explore new creative horizons.
Living on a farm in Hennopsrivier, Gauteng, Marguerite finds constant inspiration in the natural beauty around her. Her environment, combined with a deep admiration for the strength and resilience of South African women, serves as the foundation for much of her work. She is particularly drawn to the stories of women who navigate the complexities of modern life while staying connected to their cultural and traditional roots.
Marguerite’s preferred mediums are oil paint, charcoal, and aquarelle pencils, which allow her to create rich textures and depth in her work. Whether using the boldness of oil paint to convey emotion or the soft subtleties of charcoal and pastels to bring out intricate details, she selects her medium based on the subject and the story she aims to tell. Each medium offers a different way to explore light, shadow, and texture, helping her to vividly portray the characteristics and stories of her subjects.
Her recent works focus on the internal conflict faced by young women torn between traditional expectations and the pressures of contemporary society. Her art explores the dual roles that women are often expected to play — as nurturers and providers, highlighting the emotional and cultural challenges they encounter. These themes resonate strongly in South Africa’s diverse cultural landscape, where women are frequently expected to balance family, career, and heritage.
Through her artwork, Marguerite captures the strength, vulnerability, and resilience of women, offering a nuanced portrayal of the challenges they face in an ever-evolving world. www.margueritesmal.com
WINNER WEBSITES: CATEGORY1. OIL — FIGURE
1st Place MARGUERITE SMAL SOUTH AFRICA www.margueritesmal.com “So My Kids Can Eat” 76x60cm Oil, canvas.
2nd Place — Tie JON BØE PAULSEN NORWAY https://artrenewal.org/artists/jon-be-paulsen/7440 “The Guests Arrive” 85x115cm Oil on canvas.
2nd Place — Tie MARGIT C EGG AUSTRIA https://www.instagram.com/ma.rgit7414/ “Lara” 60x80cm Oil on canvas.
3rd Place — Tie LEJLA ZEJNIC BOSNIA/HERZEGOVINA 50x50cm https://www.facebook.com/share/1S23p8eEKo/ “Mia” Acrylic on canvas.
3rd Place — Tie BARRY DEBAUN USA www.barrydebaun.com “A Song In Her Heart” 30x40" Oil on canvas.
4th Place — Tie DANGUOLE SERSTINSKAJA LITHUANIA www.petdrawings.net “A Memory To Cherish” 40x60cm Oil on paper.
4th Place — Tie LANCE RICHLIN USA rportraits@sbcglobal.net “Princess” 16x20” Oil.
5th Place — Tie TERESA BOLEN JAPAN https://teresabolen.com “Portrait Of Sabrina” 9x12” Oil.
5th Place — Tie FERNANDO ROBLES PHILIPPINES 2donrobles@gmail.com “Nicolas” 70x90cm Oil on canvas.
6th Place DANGUOLE SERSTINSKAJA LITHUANIA www.petdrawings.net 33x48cm “Elegance Of The Crow Goddess” Oil on paper.
See the hundreds of winning images and corresponding contact info to all the artists here:
In 2025, ART COLLECTORS CHOICE AWARDS had submissions from these 49 countries: Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Bosnia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Herzegovina, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, UK, Ukraine, USA, Zimbabwe.
15 international art collectors asked to score art:
Jason Stuckless — Toronto, Ontario
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
Jordan Wallace — Georgetown, Illinois
Carole Hatcher — Rancho Mirage, California
Jan Gold — Roseville, California
Karen Valentine — Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Mitchell Antesky — Toledo Ohio
