Shadowfax

by Terry Hadnutt

This is a powerful painting that captures the spirit and motion of a grey horse with remarkable energy and emotion. The swirling, ambiguous background—rendered in vivid, rich colours—creates a
dynamic contrast that perfectly balances the composition. There’s a refined restraint at play, reflecting the artist’s seasoned instinct to stop at just the right moment, allowing the piece to breathe without overworking it. The result is a striking blend of impressionistic technique, thematic depth, and expressive colour use—a beautiful portrayal of movement and mood. Truly, a compelling and masterful work. Well done!

Marvel

by Soroor Behbahani

This pencil rendering of Octopus vulgaris is a remarkably detailed and skilful study that reflects the artist’s deep understanding of cephalopod anatomy, surpassing mere reliance on photographic
reference. The composition, though ambitious, is thoughtfully executed, with striking contrasts in lighting and a well-balanced interplay between the rich, dark background and the vivid, intricately rendered foreground. It is a striking close-up composition, expertly perceived with exceptional detail and precision. Congratulations!

“Please Dad, I Dropped Mine” (Yellow-Tailed Black Cockatoos)

by Kristy-Ann Duffy

This endearing painting of a yellow-tailed black cockatoo family is both visually striking and emotionally resonant. Thoughtfully composed with a clear narrative, the work demonstrates technical finesse and artistic sensitivity. Though rendered in acrylic, it carries the richness and depth of an oil painting. The feather textures are particularly impressive—vividly coloured, intricately detailed, and expertly observed. The choice of canvas size is commendable, allowing the birds to be portrayed at nearly life-size, enhancing the viewer’s sense of presence and intimacy. A beautifully executed piece—congratulations to the artist on an exceptional work.

The Vegemite Frogs

by Casey Charles

A well-executed painting that cleverly blends a culturally significant product with the playful charm and larrikin humour of adding two mischievous green tree frogs. The result is a delightful fusion of tradition and whimsy, brought to life through thoughtful composition, rich colour work, and solid technical perspective. This artwork is both cheeky and clever—an engaging concept executed with skill and character. Well done!

Currents

by Pixell Rathmell

This painting presents a captivating and imaginative concept—melding the realistic depiction of a jellyfish with a beautifully blended, warm-toned background. The semi-abstract composition invites interpretation; one compelling reading suggests a glimpse into the jellyfish’s ancient, 650-million-year evolutionary past, evoking a sense of primordial mystery and near-immortality. The work is both visually striking and technically refined, with a strong atmospheric presence. A thoughtful and well-executed piece—well done!

Fylgja (Guardian Spirit)

by Ciel

When I received my first three awards for my watercolours in 1968, I wanted to know what made the winners better than mine. I was told some of the criteria were composition, values, edges, choice of subject and if it had impact … was it painterly?

Apart from watercolours, it is relatively easier for a competent artist to create a larger painting, but size doesn’t always mean it is superior to a small work. Judging can be simpler when it is divided into different media and sections in competitions.

This wildlife exhibition, with different media, made selecting a winner due to the variety of eclectic subjects based on the theme, much harder. Whenever I judge, I narrow it down to about 5-6 works, particularly the smaller works, so I looked at every painting at least twice and I don’t look at the artist’s names.

In the end it came down to a few works that I kept coming back to that was closest to the brief of “OUR RELATIONSHPS WITH ANIMALS”. I also considered whether I would be happy to see the work in my home. Finally, I asked myself these questions from the brief: What was the animal thinking? What was the relationship with humans? What was the human thinking?

So, the winner is the work No. 22 in oils by Ciel–“Fylgja (Guardian Spirit)”

Graham W. Smith F.R.Q.A.S. M.P.A.