Tim Winters of Stuart Town, North Western NSW, was announced as this year's winner of the 2007 $35,000 Country Energy Art Prize for Landscape Painting for his work Bare Bones / Channel Country.
The winner was decided by well-known artist Peter Kingston and announced at the Dubbo Regional Gallery on 11 October.
Tim, who has entered the prize for the past five years, was elated by the win and thrilled that his art had attracted the eye of overall judge.
Taking two days to decide the winner, Mr Kinsgton said Tim's work was "marvellous" and represented "the essence of what the landscape is".
The following artists were highly commended finalists:- Autumn - Angus Nivison, Waterloo
- Country Life - Cobie Kaptein, Grafton
- After a shower - Yvonne Overton, Tamworth
- From the old apple gum paddock to the flat, Kyalami - Beverly Filmer, Bemboka
- Frosty morning on the Monaro - Stephanie Sheppard, Cooma
This year the Country Energy Art Prize attracted more than 490 entries - the greatest number received in its five-year history. For the first time the prize included a $2000 Youth Encouragement Award supported by theRegional Arts NSW Foundation. Frances Belle Parker of Maclean won this inaugural award for her work Beiirrinba, My Vein (forty).
Rhonda Baker from Lismore collected the Country Energy Employees' Choice Award for her work Hope we get some rain, mate. Around 600 employees voted this year with Rhonda's painting winning the most support.
