PaintCambridge winner

Local artist Liz Moon has won the Fitzwilliam’s #PaintCambridge watercolour competition.

27 local painters entered, with subjects ranging from botanical drawing to iconic Cambridge cityscapes and landscapes, including Kings College, the bridge of sighs, the market square, the river Cam and the fens. Entries are available to see in an online gallery here.

The winning painting of the Chariots of Fire race was chosen by the Keeper of Paintings, Drawings and Prints, Jane Munro and Conservator of works of art on paper, Richard Farleigh.

Richard commented: "The standard was very high. Everybody who entered the competition really got into the spirit and warrants praise. Watercolour is a surprising and challenging medium. Selecting the final three was not easy, more so, making a final decision. There was a ‘whisker’ between them. We chose the Chariots of Fire race as it portrays the history and the uniqueness of Cambridge. The artist has employed detailed and delicate pencil work, carefully chosen watercolour washes and made good use of the papers whiteness. It has sensitive colouring, in both strength and hue with a good sense of movement and space. To my eyes it is reminiscent of the work of Stanley Spencer and in mood, somewhat nostalgic but then ‘watercolour’ so often is!"

Liz Moon commented: "I was delighted to hear that I had won the watercolour competition and I was really pleased to choose as my prize a print of a painting by John Sell Cotman, for whom I have always had the greatest admiration. This has been a lot of fun - I hope there will be more competitions like this for people in Cambridge to get involved with."

The competition complemented the exhibition Watercolour: Elements of Nature, which is at the Museum until 27 September.

Image: Chariots of Fire race, Liz Moon.

23 September 2015