The streets of Mandurah came alive with colour over the long weekend as artists got to work for Mandurah's inaugural Outdoor Painting Festival.
The Plein Air Down Under from September 28-30 attracted more than 100 participants and thousands of spectators watching in awe as art was created before their eyes.
Artists as young as seven and as old as 80, as well as all those in between, spent three days painting, drawing and making new friends.
Hundreds of artworks were created to depict Mandurah's Ccean Marina, city centre and boardwalk precinct. Plein Air artists paint the landscapes they are looking at without the use of photographic reference and hope to capture the light, atmosphere and essence of that moment.
A number of Silver Chain clients also took part in their own painting area with carers to assist them with painting supplies, tea and coffee and plenty of encouragement.
Eleven winners shared in $5000 worth of prizes and awards.
- Leon Holmes' Lobster for Lunch received Best in Show, presented by the City of Mandurah.
- James Walker's Foreshore Break received the Peel Region Award, presented by Bendigo Bank Halls Head.
- Xanthe Turner's Spring into Play received the Youth Award, presented by Bendigo Bank Halls Head.
- Jos Coufreur's Foreshore Fish and Chips received a Highly Commended.
- Gordon Alexander's Third Time Lucky received a Highly Commended.
- D'hange Yammanee's Bridge Over Happy Water received a Highly Commended.
- Zoey Kerbey's Foreshore Trees received a Highly Commended.
- Ronda Murdoch was the Silver Chain Trophy winner.
- Gordon Alexander's Ciccerello's was the winner of the Quick Draw, presented by Leon Holmes Art and Terrace Art Framers.
- Deborah Zibah received a Quick Draw Highly Commended.
- Zoey Kerbey was the Quick Draw Youth winner.
Featured guest artist Warwick Fuller and Gillian Peebles shared judging duties over the weekend.
Ms Peebles said it was one of the hardest competitions she had ever judged.
"There were so many excellent entries executed in many styles," she said.
"Guest artist and fellow judge Warwick Fuller and I came together after singularly viewing the artworks with unanimous decisions, which was pleasing to us both."
A selection of artworks from the Plein Air Down Under will form an exhibition on display in the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre foyer gallery until October 6.
