WHAT started as an experiment with colour has led a Mandurah artist to scoop the People’s Choice Prize as part of The Mandorla Art Award.
Halls Head resident Jos Coufreur’s piece Elijah showed the biblical prophet hearing the voice of God on Mount Sinai.
“I’ve been doing a lot of work with portraits and I wanted to depict the situation using only Elijah’s face,” he said.
Mr Coufreur said the piece was all about the portrait’s eyes, a feature that was highlighted by the judges for their depth and expression.
“I paint using spontaneous realism and a piece usually doesn’t take longer than three or four days,” he said.
“I start by laying the canvas out flat and pouring paint onto it, then I use a painter’s trowel to spread the paint and I pour water onto it.
“Once the background is done I think about what I can put on top while I try to keep the background colours showing through.
“I use big brushes and wire and I scratch the paint with my hands, it adds to the final effect.”
Mr Coufreur’s style used to be mostly traditional and was inspired by impressionist works but he started working with bright colours after more than a year of artist’s block.
“My wife started painting and used lots of colours for abstracts so I thought I’d change my style, really just as an experiment but it’s turned out well,” he said.
His portraits of dogs have also been popular, with commissions from pet owners around the world.
Mr Coufreur moved from New Zealand less than a year ago and said he liked Mandurah’s laid-back lifestyle.
“I’ve joined an open air painting group here and it’s been great to meet new people through that,” he said.
Elijah is currently on display at New Norcia Museum and Art Gallery.
To see more of Mr Coufreur’s work go to jos-coufreur.com