The award is the first major prize that Joan has received for her artwork.

Joan painted Margaret Ollie, an Australian artist, because of the expression she portrays.

“I like everything about her, she is full of character,” Joan said.

Joan has been painting on and off for 20 years.

She has improved dramatically in the last eight years while she has been living in Tea Gardens.

When painting Joan said her passion is for landscapes and, around this area seascapes, but she still loves painting people.

“I like portraits because you can see the face come alive; it is always interesting to see life come into the painting,” Joan said.

Over 700 paintings were entered into the competition.

Joan’s portrait of Margaret Ollie was entered into section one which stipulated the work could be a painting of any subject, using watercolour, acrylic and oil.