Artist scoops award for second time

Art & Soul

19 Dec, 2022

Mangawhai artist Philippa Murray-Aynsley has won the 2022 Kaipara Art Awards People’s Choice Award, sponsored by The French Art Shop, for the second year in a row.

“Philippa’s portrait ‘At the Beach’ captivated visitors at exhibitions in both Mangawhai and Dargaville over the last six weeks,” says Belinda Vernon, coordinator of the 2022 Kaipara Art Award event. “She was the runaway winner!”

In 2021 her work ‘Family Love’ had the same effect.

Totally self-taught, Philippa started painting photorealism portraits in acrylics but soon moved to alkyd oils as it gave her more scope to blend and add the fine detail.

“I choose to paint in black and white as I believe it captures the real personality,” says Philippa. “I always start with the eyes as that is when the person comes ‘alive’ and by the time I have finished I feel I really know them.”

Philippa takes commissions and specialises in, but is not limited to, babies and young children.

Philippa is a member of Mangawhai Artists Inc and her profile can be found at mangawhaiartists.co.nz

Philippa Murray-Aynsley with her work ‘At the Beach’. PHOTO/SUPPLIED