06/12/2026
It's official. Randy won first place in his group last night. He has passed the first major hurdle on the road to becoming The People's Artist.
The competition is supported by actor Johnny Depp as a fundraiser for his charity gallery The Art of Elysian in Los Angeles.
We thank everyone who voted and donated for him. We know the reminders may have been exhausting. It means a lot that you continued to vote regardless.
It feels great knowing that people we know and don't know took time to respond to our appeals. Means more than we can say. God bless you for your support.
What Happens Next?
Randy has advanced to the Quarter Finals, where he will compete against the other group winners. Daily free voting opens again next week on Mon, June 15, and will end four weeks later on Thu, July 9.
The schedule is as follows:
Quarter Finals: June 15–25
Semi-Finals: June 26–July 2
Finals: July 3–9
The Grand Prize Winner will be announced on or before August 6 and will receive:
$25,000
A feature in the international Artforum Magazine
An exhibition at The Art of Elysium gallery in LA
About Randy
Randy discovered his God-given talent as a child drawing with his artist mother at their home on the Eastside in South Central LA. He later studied visual arts at Jefferson High School, Compton College, and CSU San Bernardino.
Permanently disabled from a work injury, he finds more time in retirement to share his love for nature, culture, and everyday life through mostly realist and abstract paintings and drawings.
Thank you from our hearts for supporting his mission to bring inspiration and joy for everyone.
Below: Randy at his art exhibit in Grand Prairie, TX
