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Mandurah provides inspiration for winning Mt Barker artist

Headshot of Kellie Balaam
Kellie BalaamAlbany Advertiser
Andy Dolphin's winning piece Under the Sheoak.
Camera IconAndy Dolphin's winning piece Under the Sheoak. Credit: Supplied

Great Southern artist Andy Dolphin has won big at this year’s Plein Air Down Under outdoor painting festival.

Dolphin won the Peel Region Award for his artwork Under the Sheoak painted at the festival held on the long weekend of September 25 to 27.

The Mt Barker artist said it was his second time participating in the event and this year was “surprisingly bigger and better”.

“To spend a weekend painting outdoors with more than 160 artists working at all levels of experience and using a wide range of media is incredibly energising,” he said.

“Everyone has a smile on their face as they wander around the Mandurah foreshore and throughout historic Pinjarra looking for subjects and checking the work of other painters.

“It’s a great opportunity to make friends, to learn and to network and share ideas with other artists.”

The annual three-day event broke several records including the number of artists involved with the creation of more than 300 paintings of Mandurah’s picturesque waterways, cultural precinct and the rural landscapes of historic Pinjarra.

Last year, the festival attracted 150 registered artists.

More than $10,000 in cash and prizeswas on offer to artists who registered for the festival.

Five internationally recognised artists participated in a feature artist exhibition which was on display at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre.

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