Inspired by the Iraq War, this is a portrait of an American war widow. "Portraiture also is strongly represented. Jerry Ross' La Vedova di Guerra won a Juror's Award. Ross paints with elegant simplicity, using few colors — black, blue, russet and flesh tones — to remarkable effect. The economy of the composition, with broad areas of single color, contributes to the mood of the painting and allows the woman's face to become the focus of attention. Her expression stays with the viewer: wistful, sad yet accepting. There is poise and self-possession in her bearing, but softness too, and a sense of mystery because of her expressive restraint"