At a time when contemporary art seems dominated by either technological high-jinks or reinterpretations of found objects, the 2008 southern edition of New American Paintings (Open Studios, $20) is here to remind us that painting is far from dead.

Digital video, Photoshop and the hordes of Marcel Duchamp followers aside, the narrative qualities of painting remain attractive for emerging and mid-career artists.

''Painting, far more adaptable than its critics give it credit for, has survived and even thrived, in the face of these new developments,'' writes Peter Boswell, assistant director for programs and senior curator at the Miami Art Museum, who served as the publication's juror for this edition.

A cross between book and magazine, New American Paintings is a ''juried exhibition-in-print,'' says managing editor Jessica Lee. The 40 artists, chosen from 800 entries, are given a four-page ``show.''

Seventeen Miami artists made the cut -- and two got top billing.

The painting that illustrates the book's cover -- Lazy Sunbathers, a witty (or perhaps, diabolical?) oil on canvas -- is the work of Aramis Gutiérrez, a Pittsburgh-born Miami artist who deals with themes of ``evolutionary psychology.''

Painter Julie Davidow, a fixture of Miami's art community and coauthor of last year's acclaimed Contemporary Miami Artists book, received a ''noteworthy'' mention and special recognition as the Juror's Pick. Her work, Boswell notes, was not included in the Miami book because she was a coauthor. ''While the integrity is admirable,'' he says, ``it's an omission that deserves to be rectified.''

Davidow characterizes herself as ''a frustrated scientist,'' and Boswell says her paintings possess ''noteworthy power and appeal, with bright bold colors and crackling lines that seem to explode off the canvas.'' Davidow extends her paintings onto the walls when exhibiting them.

The Boston-based New American Paintings, which holds annual competitions in six regions, will accept entries until Dec. 31 for its 10th southern edition. For information, visit www.newamericanpaintings.com.

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