Devon’s Best Young Landscape Artist Competition

2023 Results:

A teenager from Chudleigh, who depicted the charming view from his window by using an unusual technique of applying burn marks to wood, is the winner of the Over 12s category of this year’s Devon’s Best Young Landscape Artist competition. 15-year-old Jay Fennell’s original pyrography made a lasting impression on the judges – our Director Penny Mills and Devon landscape artist Kath Hadden.

There were joint runners up in this category: 17-year-old Rosie Holgate from Honiton with a beautiful mixed media scene inspired by the beautiful Devon hills around her home, and 16-year-old Angelie Pickett from Ugborough – one of last year’s winners – who painted Canada geese on Filham Lake in the South Hams.

The younger category had joint winners: 10-year-old Ava Baxter from Yeoford – who had won highly commended last year – who painted Soar Mill Cove and 9-year-old Isla Bedwell from Membury with her mixed media artwork of a sunset seen from her garden. 10-year-old Bodhi Muizz Waldstadt from Newton St Cyres was awarded a Runner Up prize for an accomplished painting of the coast at Saunton Sands in north Devon.

Jay Fennell was astonished to have won one of the top prizes of £100. He said, “I was amazed. I can’t believe it. I got a pyrography set for Christmas last year, and this is only about the third picture I’ve created with it. I decided to enter the competition after my grandma showed me a newspaper article about it. I thought twice about submitting this piece because it wasn’t a painting but I’m really glad I did now.“

Commenting on the results, Penny said, “This year, it was lovely to receive such a variety of different media. All the artwork submitted showed a deep appreciation of Devon’s wonderful landscapes and countryside. We are very grateful to Kath Hadden once again for helping to choose the winners.”

Painter Kath Hadden, commenting on the work produced by the young artists, said, “Congratulations to Jay. We were immediately drawn to this piece, a fascinating view depicted in a very original way with great skill.”

“Rosie’s collage of the Devon hills showed great imagination and creative use of different materials. Well done, Rosie. I particularly liked the detail of the little ladybird at the bottom.”

“Angelie Pickett’s is a very accomplished piece showing technical skills beyond her years. Not an easy subject matter but she has done a great job.”

Of the Under 12s, Kath said, “It was very difficult to choose between these two so we had joint winners. I loved the looseness of Ava’s depiction of Soar Mill Cove. A tricky composition tackled with confidence and a lovely colour palette. Isla’s view of her garden at sunset is a very peaceful painting, a great use of mixed media. Well done, Isla.”

The winning works of art are being displayed at the Museum of Dartmoor Life in Okehampton from 23rd October – 3rd November. Congratulations to them all and thank you to everybody who entered the competition.

2023 results at a glance:
Older category 12 – 18 years
Winner Jay Fennell, 15 years from Chudleigh: Pyrography on wood
‘View from my window in Chudleigh’

Joint runners up: Rosie Holgate, 17 years from Honiton: Mixed media inspired by the beautiful Devon hills around her home

and
Angelie Pickett, 16 years from Ugborough: Painting of Filham Lake, South Hams

Younger category 7 – 11 years
Joint winners: Ava Baxter, 10 years from Yeoford: Painting of Soar Mill Cove, Bolt Head, South Hams

and
Isla Bedwell, 9 years from Membury: Mixed media ‘View from My Garden, Stunning
Sunset over Membury, Devon’

Runner up: Bodhi Muizz Waldstadt, 10 years from Newton St Cyres, painting of
Saunton Sands

2023 – The Competition is now open!

The search begins for Devon’s Best Young Landscape Artist 2023. We are on the lookout for budding young artists who can capture the beauty and variety of the county’s natural landscapes, from its wild moorlands to its sheltered river valleys.

Young artists aged 18 and under have until the end of September to submit a painting, drawing, textile, collage or mixed media artwork of a Devon view to win the coveted title of Devon’s Best Young Landscape Artist 2023. The landscape could be a favourite beach or beauty spot, a local park or green space, somewhere visited on a day out or even the artist’s back garden.

There are cash prizes for the winner of each category and the best entries will be exhibited at the Museum of Dartmoor Life in Okehampton, and we are very grateful to them for this opportunity.

We launched the competition two years ago with the support of Exeter-based landscape artist Kath Hadden, who helps choose the prize winners along with our Director, Penny Mills. The two judges have consistently been impressed with the immense talent of the county’s young artists. They are hoping to receive as many original submissions as they have in previous years depicting Devon’s stunning countryside and coastline.

Last year two Dartmoor scenes were chosen as the winning entries: 15-year-old Angelie Pickett’s accomplished painting of Ugborough stood out in the older age group, and a vibrant painting of Belstone River by 11-year-old Sophia Lopez Clarkson won in the younger age group.

Devon CPRE Director Penny Mills says, “Kath and I really enjoy looking through all the artwork, and we are always amazed by the talent of the children and teenagers who enter. We love their depictions of Devon’s coast and countryside, and we look forward to seeing what 2023 will bring. No doubt, we will again have our work cut out deciding on this year’s winners.”

The competition is simple to enter with cash prizes for each age category. £100 for the winner in each age category. £25 runner up prizes. There are two entry categories – one for teenagers (aged 12-18) and one for younger children (age 7-11).

To enter, simply post us your entry which must be A3 or A4 size, with your name, age and contact details on the back (preferrably please include an email address and telephone number) and post to us at Devon CPRE, PO Box 26, Beaworthy, EX21 5XN. (If you would like your painting returned, please enclose a stamped addressed envelope (for the right postage please! – We regret we cannot post everybody’s paintings back to them unless the postage is provided!). The closing date for submissions is Saturday 30th September 2023.

Good luck!

2022 Results

The results are in for our competition to find Devon’s Best Young Landscape Artist.

Outstanding images of Devon’s coast and countryside show the immense talent of the county’s young artists, say the judges of this year’s competition.

After much deliberation, two Dartmoor scenes were chosen as the winning entrants by the judges which included local landscape painter Kath Hadden.

15-year-old Angelie Pickett’s accomplished painting of Ugborough on the edge of Dartmoor was chosen as the winner in the older age group, and a vibrant painting of Belstone River by 11-year-old Sophia Lopez Clarkson won in the younger age group.

The other entries that impressed the judges were:

Older group

14-year-old Archie Lourens’ drawing of Instow in North Devon, Runnerup
12-year-old Saskia Van Hasselt’s drawing of Sidmouth in East Devon, Highly Commended

Younger group

11-year-old Thomas Kirkwood’s drawing of Hope Cove in South Devon, Joint Runnerup
10-year-old Alex Boswell’s painting of the Exe Estuary, Joint Runnerup
9-year-old Ava Baxter’s painting of Crook point Sands in North Devon, Highly Commended

All the artworks are to be exhibited this year at the Museum of Dartmoor Life in Okehampton until 27th October.

Commenting on the two winning entries, Exeter-based Kath Hadden said, “Angelie Pickett’s winning painting of Ugborough showed an immense talent for such a young painter. Her technical skill, use of colour and drawing ability was astounding. She is certainly one to watch.

“Sophia’s winning painting of Dartmoor’s Belstone River captured the scene beautifully. A great choice of colour palette and range of textures. A very charming painting and one to be very proud of. It makes me want to take a trip to the moor.”

Devon CPRE Director Penny Mills said, “I was bowled over by the technical skill and detail of Angelie’s painting of Ugbourough. At first glance, I thought it was a photo! It’s always such a pleasure to open Devon CPRE’s mail in the run-up to this annual competition. The variety of Devon scenes and the individual way they are portrayed by young artists is wonderful to see.”

Congratulations to them all.

The search begins for Devon’s Best Young Landscape Artist 2022

Young artists aged 18 and under can now compete for the title of Devon’s Best Young Landscape Artist 2022. We held the competition for the first time last year and were really impressed with the quality and quantity of entries from across the county.

Our charity is inviting budding young artists to showcase their creativity by capturing Devon’s unique and precious landscapes in the medium of their choice. There are two entry categories – one for teenagers (aged 12-18) and one for younger children (age 7-11) – with cash prizes for the winners.

Exeter-based landscape artist Kath Hadden will again join our Director Penny Mills to judge the entries. We are hoping to receive as many original pictures and paintings as we did in 2021, when the winners were Christopher Moore with his mixed-media seascape and Matilda Baker with her verdant Dartmoor scene.

Anything goes as far as the choice of landscape is concerned – as long as it’s in Devon. It could be a favourite beach or beauty spot, a local park or green space, somewhere visited on a day out or even the artist’s own garden.

Penny says, “Kath and I thoroughly enjoyed looking through all the artwork last year. Such a lot of effort had gone into the entries and there was some real talent. We had our work cut out judging so many fantastic paintings and drawings, each capturing a uniquely personal perspective of Devon’s coast and countryside. We’re really looking forward to seeing what this year will bring.”

The competition is simple to enter with cash prizes for each age category. £100 for the winner in each age category. £25 runner up prizes. To enter, simply post us your entry which must be A3 or A4 size, with your name, age and contact details on the back and post to us at Devon CPRE, PO Box 26, Beaworthy, EX21 5XN. (If you would like your painting returned, please enclose a stamped addressed envelope (for the right postage please! – We regret we cannot post everybody’s paintings back to them unless the postage is provided!). The deadline for entries is Friday, 30 September 2022.

Results 2021

We are delighted to announce the results of this year’s Devon’s Best Young Landscape Artist competition.

Many congratulations to Matilda Baker (age 10) and Christopher Moore (age 17) who have each won £100 and the prestigious title of ‘Devon’s Best Young Landscape Artist’ 2021. Matilda’s painting of Meldon Hill, Dartmoor and Christopher’s mixed media artwork of a south devon seascape and local legend, have won first prize in the two age categories of our inaugural Devon’s Best Young Landscape Artist Competition.

Exeter-based landscape painter Kath Hadden brought her considerable expertise to the judging process after we rebranded our traditional painting competition for children this year and opened it up to under 18s. Kath helped us select the winning entries from an overwhelming number of submissions from right across the county in a variety of media. Matilda’s painting and Christopher’s work combining paint and collage both stood out because of their composition, originality and clever use of the chosen media.

However, it was a close-run thing and the judges awarded a number of Runner-Up Prizes and a cash prize of £25 each to four other young artists whose work caught their eye. In the younger age category (7-11), nine-year-old Martha Murrin, eleven-year-old Thomasin Manley Frost and ten-year-old Olive Martin were runners-up. In the older age category (12-18 years), the runner-up was sixteen-year-old Claudia Tam and there was a commendation for fourteen-year-old Rosie Brazendale-Sweet .

Commenting on the results, Kath Hadden said, “I thoroughly enjoyed looking through all the artwork. Such a lot of effort had gone into the entries so big congratulations to everyone who sent something in. The youngest category was particularly hard to judge as there were some very strong entries, which showed talent beyond their years. Matilda’s winning entry was a perfectly captured Devon scene, with great attention to detail. Congratulations, Matilda! Thomasin’s screen print of Exmouth beach showed a brilliant use of colour and composition, and Olive’s piece was a familiar scene to anyone who has explored this area of South Devon, beautifully painted in acrylics. Martha’s image of a tree-lined road didn’t have a specific location, but I was impressed by her composition and use of colour.

“In the older age group, Christopher winning piece showed a creative approach in the way he manipulated the paper to create a clever collage, referencing a local legend about The Parson and the Clerk, which I knew nothing about. Claudia’s mixed media piece was a feast for the eyes – there was so much to see in it and I thought it was a brave approach to a tricky composition. I also loved her personal story behind the picture. I thought Rosie’s Devon flag, depicting four small Dartmoor studies with a very limited palette, was highly effective. Congratulations and keep making, drawing and painting everyone!”

Devon CPRE Director Penny Mills added, “The number and variety of entries this year was just amazing. It’s wonderful to see the very personal take on Devon’s landscape and scenery that our young artists brought to their compositions. We’d like to thank all the young artists who entered our competition this year and congratulations to the winners. Throughout the pandemic, we’ve had different opportunities to reconnect with nature and the Great Outdoors and I think this renewed appreciation of the natural beauty that surrounds us in Devon shines through in all our winning entries. I’m already looking forward to next year!”

Devon’s Best Young Landscape Artist Competition 2021 – View

 

Young artists aged 18 and under can now compete for the prestigious title of ‘Devon’s Best Young Landscape Artist’ following a rebrand of our traditional painting competition for children.

This year we’ve decided to open up its annual art competition to under 18s, with new categories for older age groups. It’s a chance for Devon’s young people to engage with the Great Outdoors and showcase their artistic skills by capturing Devon’s unique and precious landscapes in the medium of their choice. The two age categories this year are 7-11 and 12-18.

The standard of entries from children has been fantastic in previous years and we’re hoping to encourage even more young people to enter in 2021 by raising the age limit to 18. We’re really looking forward to seeing what we’re sure will be some fantastic paintings and drawings capturing the natural beauty of Devon’s coast and countryside.

Anything goes as far as the choice of landscape is concerned – as long as it’s in Devon. It could be a favourite beach or beauty spot, a local park or green space, somewhere visited on a day out or even the artist’s own garden.

Last year the standard of artwork was so high during Lockdown that we produced a calendar featuring some of the best paintings and drawings of Devon’s natural environment.

We have high hopes that this new competition will yield some stunning artwork and uniquely personal perspectives of Devon in all its summer glory. The competition is simple to enter with cash prizes for each age category – £100 for the winning entry in each age category and £25 runner up prizes. We’re looking forward to receiving lots of entries.

To enter, simply post us your painting which must be A3 or A4 size, clearly marking your name and contact details on the back and age. Post to us at Devon CPRE, PO Box 26, Beaworthy, EX21 5XN.

The deadline for entries is 1st November 2021.

Good luck!

Devon’s Best Young Landscape Artist Competition 2021

last year’s winning entries –

2020 My Outdoors Competitions Results!

What an amazing year its been for our annual My Outdoors childrens competitions. The entries came pouring in from primary schoolchildren in all corners of our county – from Barnstaple to Buckfastleigh, Woolacombe to Whimple, Exmouth to Plymouth and any number of places inbetween!

We have been absolutely thrilled at both the quality and quantity of this year’s entries. Its no surprise, perhaps, that with our youngsters ‘locked down’ for weeks on end in their homes, without the daily routine of school, they have found creative ways to expend their energy and their love for the outdoor spaces they’ve had access to. For those in urban environments, this may have been no more than a courtyard or garden or green space at the end of their road. Those who live close to the coast or countryside have enjoyed more freedom to roam. Some of our entrants used their memory to revisit favourite beauty spots and scenic locations. We have enjoyed seeing and reading about all of these places. It’s been a real pleasure discovering what our young competition entrants love about their outdoors.

Thank you to all the children who have taken part in this year’s competitions and produced some wonderful work. Thanks also to the parents and school teachers who have taken the time and trouble to get their entries to us by post and email. Judging has been very difficult, but we are pleased to announce the results.

WRITING COMPETITION

The children were asked to tell us why they think its important to protect Devon’s countryside.

Key Stage 1 – The individual winner is Ayrton Teague (Age 5) from St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Buckfastleigh, who wrote

Devon is a rural area. We are country people. It is important to be proud of our countryside. A clean and tidy countryside is beautiful to see.

Key Stage 2 – The individual winner is Priya-Louise Fairey (Age 9) from St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Buckfastleigh, who wrote

I like to cycle through the lanes and I love to see the bluebells in the hedges. Sometimes I see litter which makes me sad.

Highly Commended prizes go to children from Dunsford Community Academy; Whimple Primary School; Wembury Primary School; Preston Primary School Torquay; Bridestowe Primary School; and St Mary’s Catholic Primary School Buckfastleigh.

The overall winning school prize goes to St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Buckfastleigh.

ART COMPETITION

The children were asked to depict ‘My Outdoors’ in any medium of their choice.

Key Stage 1 – The individual winner is Betsy Salt (Age 6) from St Peter’s Prep School, Lympstone, Exmouth for her seaside painting.

Highly Commended prizes go to children from Clyst Heath Primary School, Exeter; Compton C of E Primary School, Plymouth; Bampton C of E Primary School Bampton; Wembury Primary School; Woolacombe School; St Mary’s Catholic Primary School Buckfastleigh; St Peter’s Prep School, Lympstone, Exmouth.

Key Stage 2 – This year there are two individual winners’ prizes awarded to:

Thomasin Manley-Frost (Age 10) from St Peter’s Prep School Lympstone, Exmouth for her painting of Bowermans Nose, Dartmoor; and Graciella Sillence-Dreyer (Age 11) from Pilton Bluecoat Academy, Barnstaple for her watercolour painting of Mannings Pit.

Highly Commended prizes are awarded to children from Woodbury Salterton Primary School; Whimple Primary School; St Johns School Sidmouth; Bampton C of E Primary School; Tedburn St Mary Primary School; St Peter’s Prep School Lympstone, Exmouth; Whitchurch Community Primary School; St Mary’s Catholic Primary School Buckfastleigh; and Dunsford Community Academy.

The overall winning school is St Peter’s Prep School, Lympstone, Exmouth.

Congratulations to them all.

2020 COMPETITIONS NOW OPEN FOR ENTRIES!

Once again we are delighted to be running our two competitions
for primary school children – our ‘My Outdoors’ art competition and our Writing competition – tell us why you think its important to protect the countryside. Entry forms and postcards are available from us – drop us an email on info@cpredevon.org.uk or call us on 01392 966737 – or can be downloaded below. There will be a top prize for the winning school of £200 as well as individual prizes for the winning children. Closing date for entries is 30th June 2020.

Download the information and entry forms here

CPRE Devon Writing Competition 2020

CPRE Devon Teachers Information 2020

Our competitions are a fun way to provide a creative outlet for primary school children, many of whom are spending more time than usual indoors this spring because of the coronavirus pandemic. Children in Key Stages 1 and 2 are encouraged to use their imagination to create a piece of artwork or a short piece of writing evoking Devon’s coast or countryside, or a favourite spot thats important to them. It could be a local park, a green space nearby, somewhere they have visited for a day out or even their own garden.

Because of the current situation, this year we will be accepting entries by email to avoid unnecessary trips to the post office. Simply email to us at info@cpredevon.org.uk

2019 COMPETITION RESULTS!

Thank you to all the schools and children who entered our competitions this year – we had more entries than ever before! And lots of excellent pieces of work, making it very difficult for the judges to pick the winners. But we are pleased to announce the following results:

Winner Key Stage 2 – Art competition:
Rose Greenhill (age 10) from Whitchurch Primary for her seaside painting.

Winner Key Stage 1 – Art competition:
Florence Farnell (age 5) from Bowhill Primary, Exeter for her picture entitled A Walk through Danes Wood near Killerton.

Winner Countryside Writing competition:
Marney Cruise (age 10) from Whitchurch Primary, who wrote

I think its important to protect Devon’s countryside because….

If we carry on building on green space there won’t be any room for wildlife. There are lots of houses for humans but we are still building more in the habitats (homes) of animals. Litter is a big part of the problem. The council need to conduct more litter picks. We may then have a cleaner safer county.

The Best Overall School prize was won by St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Buckfast for the writing competition; and Whitchurch Primary for the art competition.

Our Devon Countryside Ambassador Badges and Highly Commended prizes were also awarded to children from St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Beechwood, Southway, Plymouth; Buckfast; Bowhill Primary, Exeter; Newtown Primary, Exeter; Hatherleigh; Exbourne; Sparkwell; Whitchurch; Wembury.

Congratulations to them all. We have greatly enjoyed visiting the schools and meeting the children. We look forward to next year.

2019 Competitions

We are delighted to once again be holding two competitions for primary school children across Devon. Our writing competition – complete the following sentence – I think its important to protect the countryside because…… and our painting competition – ‘My Outdoors’.
Entry forms and postcards can be posted to teachers – please contact us on info@cpredevon.org.uk or 01392 966737 – or downloaded below. Closing date for entries is the end of June 2019. We look forward to hearing from you!

MY OUTDOORS 2018 – RESULTS!

CPRE Devon is delighted to announce the results of this year’s ‘My Outdoors’ competition for primary schoolchildren. We received entries from right across the county from girls and boys who had captured their favourite Devon landscape on paper.

The competition is a fun way to encourage outdoor learning and help young children engage with and enjoy the countryside. Pencils, paints and sticking paste were all put to use to create art works which captured the beauty and variety of Devon’s natural landscapes.

The judges were impressed with the children’s creativity and hard work. They had a hard task choosing between the entries!

Bishops Nympton Primary School near South Molton won ‘Best overall school’ and a prize of £200 towards outdoor learning. East Anstey Primary School on Exmoor and St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Buckfast were both highly commended, winning £50 each towards outdoor learning initiatives.

The individual winners were:
Key Stage 1 – Amelie Willis Smith, aged 5, from Holbeton Primary School. The judges loved her delightful collage The Beach.
Key Stage 2 – Ava Perkins, aged 8, from Clyst Heath Nursery and Community Primary School in Exeter. The judges were impressed by her painting entitled Dartmoor.

There were lots of commendations too for entries from Bishops Nympton, East Anstey, St. Mary’s in Buckfast, Holbeton and Exeter schools Willowbrook, Ladysmith, Wynstream and Clyst Heath.

Thank you to everyone who supported CPRE Devon by entering, and congratulations to all the winners!

CPRE 2018 Amelia Willis Smith Holbeton Primary002
CPRE 2018 overall winner Ava Perkins001