Young artists from Honiton and Musbury have won awards at the 2023 Devon CPRE Best Young Landscape Artist competition.

17-year-old Rosie Holgate from Honiton with a beautiful mixed media scene inspired by the beautiful Devon hills around her home.

In the younger category nine-year-old Isla Bedwell from Membury with her mixed media artwork of a sunset seen from her garden. 

Commenting on the results, Devon CPRE’s Penny Mills 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 are due to be displayed at the Okehampton Museum of Dartmoor Life until the end of October.

Young artists aged 18 and under had 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 competition launched 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.