Small Works Art Prize 2014

It was a great and fun experience to take part in this Small Works Art Prize recently at Art Studios Gallery in North Gosford,

which by the way is a wonderful gallery run by some amazing people.

The challenge was to paint the theme 'Spirit of the Central Coast' and all works had to be anonymous until sold. All 20"x20" works were signed on the back which created an interesting experience for the viewer to see all artworks as they were presented.

I am very privileged to have been chosen 

 1ST PRIZE WINNER 

of this art prize which was and still is a shock to me.

Left is my winning painting depicting what the 'Spirit of the Central Coast' means to me.

It is a painting based on childhood memories of my grandfather's caravan at Umina. I can still recall the smell of the plywood and lino when the door opened after being locked up for weeks at a time.The local fish and chip shop was a short walk around the corner and as usual if you're eating chips, the seagulls will find you.

I entered 3 paintings into this Small Works Art Prize which 

ALL

SOLD.

This acrylic painting to the left is called 'Spirit'.

 I'm lucky to live in the rainforest which is just a short drive to the beautiful beaches on the Central Coast, so I envisaged the flow of the land merging into the water kind of like a mandala, and a fern frond helps to bring together the idea of the constant flow of re-birthing and ever evolving new life.

This acrylic painting on the left is called 'The Last Paradise'.

SOLD

I have seen an interest lately of the resurgence of terrariums. Once a great 70's hobby where many homes would have one of these glass containers planted with indoor plants and rocks as part of their home décor. So I thought if all land was lost, just saving a piece of the Central Coast with it's beautiful flora and fauna, oh and my grandfather's caravan, in a terrarium would be extra special. Even if it was just a 20"x20" canvas painting.

The following photos are just some I took of the exhibition which ran from

 December 3-21, 2014 and was a great success with most artworks selling.

Can't wait until next year's exhibition too.