Top honour for Bower artist

A YOUNG artist from Bower has become the first winner of a prestigious new prize at a London exhibition.

Madeline Mackay (23) took home the top prize in the Young and Wild Category at the 2012 David Shepherd Wildlife Foundations’ Wildlife Artist of the Year competition.

Mackay had two pieces short-listed for the exhibition – Birds, created from charcoal and peat, and Egret, a waterless litho and chine work. It was the latter that won her the title.

Speaking after her win, Miss Mackay said that she was honoured to be awarded the prestigious title against tough competition.

"Having seen the work of the artists that I was up against I had no expectation of winning," she said.

"It has been the most amazing experience and I am so glad that I travelled to London to see the exhibition and had the chance to meet so many amazing and talented artists."

The ceremony was held at the prestigious Mall Galleries in London on Monday night when she was awarded £500 from wildlife artist David Shepherd CBE and conservationist Mark Carwardine.

Her two pieces did not just impress the judges – both works were sold on the opening night of the exhibition.

"It was so exciting to see the red dots appear on my work," she said. "It was also a privilege to talk to David Shepherd who told me that the advice he was given as a young artist was to always strive to make your next work better than your last."

Miss Mackay said her passion for painting birds came from growing up in Caithness, with her images revealing a fascination with unpeopled landscapes.

Commenting on Miss Mackay’s winning entry, judge and watercolourist Hazel Soan said that the win would be a fabulous start to her career.

She said "This is a very mature piece for a young artist, playing with graphics and the interesting lines of this elegant water bird."

Home schooled while living in Caithness, Miss Mackay is in her final year at the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee, from where she will graduate in June, and plans to work as a professional artist.

Over 150 works of art were short-listed for this year’s competition, created by established and new artists. Miss Mackay’s work will remain on show at the Mall Galleries until Saturday, May 26.