A frenetic thrum emanated from the Armadale District Hall as the sun set on Friday.
The cream of the city’s art scene had gathered to soak up each other’s creative labours and eagerly anticipate who amongst them had risen to the top.
After 37 years hosting their annual awards, the Armadale Society of Artists has certainly got it down to a fine art.
And luckily too, because this year attracted a record number of entries, and a record number of opening night visitors.
No sooner had the doors opened, than red ‘sold’ dots started appearing on prized pieces, letting the rest of us know that we had been beaten to the punch.
The eye of this roving reporter quickly honed in on one striking photograph of Contos Beach, near Boranup. Imagine the shock when it was discovered it wasn’t a photograph at all, but a remarkably deceptive pastel piece.
But that revelation was nothing compared to the sheer disbelief upon realising that this astonishing work was hanging in the exhibition’s inaugural ‘Youth 12-17’ section.
A second equally exquisite painting of gentle waves lapping on the shore at Rottnest Island had admirers remarking over the use of light, and how the artist had ‘captured’ the water with such acuity.
Mouths were agog as a petite 12-year-old prodigy stepped forward as creator.
City of Armadale local Chelsea Martin confessed the two paintings she had submitted for the ASA Art Exhibition were the very first pastels she had ever attempted.
With an award-winning landscape artist for a father – renowned local Chris Martin – there could be arguments made involving apples and their tendency to drop in close proximity to the trees that spawned them.
But Chris was adamant that he didn’t have a direct influence on his daughter’s work.
“I was working on my own work and I just let her go for it – I refused to teach her anything because I don’t think you learn like that,” he said.
“I just told her to keep checking in with her reference photo – if there’s something going wrong, you’ll be able to see it in your reference photo.
“I’m fairly concerned that she can already do what took me a long, long time to be able to do.”
Like any artist, Chelsea went through a full spectrum of emotions while creating her masterpieces.
“During the process it was a bit tricky at times, pushing through all the things that I didn’t like about it,” she said.
“But when I got something right, I was really happy about it – like the waves in the bigger painting, and the sparkles on the sand, they were my favourite parts.
“I knew I was finished when I couldn’t do any more without making it worse.”
No one was surprised when Chelsea was named the winner of the Youth section on Friday evening with her Contos Beach piece.
Chelsea explained that it’s been a busy month for her, with her entries into the Kelmscott Show – the first artworks she’s ever entered for judging – all receiving a Highly Commended, and both paintings snapped up by buyers in the first few minutes at the weekend.
And she’s seriously considering the possibility of forging a career for herself as a professional artist.
“My dad has made a pretty good career out of what he’s doing. So, if it’s something that makes me happy while doing it, then yeah, it’d be a pretty good job to have,” she said.
Just around the corner from Chelsea’s artwork, another remarkable painting was gathering attention – a picture of a forlorn looking Blue Heeler titled ‘I’m Sorry’.
“I’m not,” said creator John ‘Ned’ Kelly, as he accepted the Best Overall Art award.
“I’m just lost for words – this means a hell of a lot to me,” he said.
Despite his obvious talent, Ned has only relatively recently become a professional artist, since retiring a few years ago.
“I loved painting as a kid – it quickly became what I was known for. But then I drifted away from it when I grew up,” he said.
“But you never really stop being an artist – it’s a way of seeing the world. Being an artist is who I am, it comes from very deep inside.”
Despite living in Ellenbrook, Ned has been a member and staunch supporter of ASA for four years. And his relationship with the Armadale group has been fruitful; Ned’s iconic Australiana images earned him the People’s Choice award at last year’s show, and the attention of the owners of Birli Gallery in Midland.
“We saw his work and said ‘who is this guy?’. We knew we had to represent him,” agent Brooke Farrell said.
“He’s now won People’s Choice awards all over the place – and we’re taking him to Sydney next year so we can show him off.”
Congratulations to all of this year’s winners:
Youth Art Award: Chelsea Martin (1), Alexis Archer (2), Lucy Bushnell (3).
Pointy Bird Art Award: Anna Newbey
Acrylic Art Award: Shelley Poole
Photography Award: Anna Newbey
Pastel Art Award: Jane Etienne
Drawing Art Award: Cilla Jackson-Mauchel
Oil Art Award: Rob Shawcross
Watercolour Art Award: Megan O’Brien
Mixed Media Art Award: Jessamy Offszanka
Textile Art Award: Mo Woltersdorf
3D Art Award: Corey Offszanka
Local Artist Award: Chantalle Grummet
Best Overall Art Award: John ‘Ned’ Kelly (1), Trish Halloran (2), Carolyn Thomas (3).
Photographs – Richard Polden
