Six young Devon artists impress judges with stunning landscapes

Six young artists from Devon, including two 12-year-olds from Pilton Community College in Barnstaple, have been recognised for their creativity in this year’s Devon CPRE Best Young Landscape Artist Competition.

Judges Penny Mills, Devon CPRE’s Director, and Exeter-based professional landscape painter Kath Hadden said the six winning entries stood out for their distinctive approaches and personal connection to the landscape.

The artworks capture a range of Devon scenes, with one reflecting current threats to the countryside and farming, and another, Kath noted, evoking the work of celebrated British contemporary artist Kurt Jackson through its depiction of light on the sea.

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In the 7–11 age category, the winner was 9-year-old Arabella Durman from Tiverton, who presented a unique view of the countryside seen between a horse’s ears. Runners up were 7-year-old Constance Passera from Beaworthy, who drew Brentor on Dartmoor, described as “her all-time favourite place in the world,” and 10-year-old Josiah Wort from Bideford, whose oil pastel depiction of Shelstone Tor in Dartmoor, titled Wild Camp on Dartmoor, impressed the judges.

For the 12–17 age group, the winner was 12-year-old Poppy Fellows from Pilton Community College, whose painting of Hartland’s coast was praised for its vibrant use of colour. Runners up were 17-year-old Jessica Horton from Roborough, Plymouth, whose pen and ink drawing of Firestone Bay in South Devon was described as “very accomplished,” and 12-year-old Seth Davies, also from Pilton, with his watercolour of the North Devon Coast Path featuring a “cheeky fox.”

Winners receive £100 each, with runners up awarded £25. Their work will be on display at the Museum of Dartmoor Life in Okehampton from today until Saturday 8 November.

Penny Mills said, “It’s always a delight to open my post in the runup to the competition deadline. Every time we hold this competition, the works submitted are wonderfully varied, both in the choice of landscapes and the media used to depict them. Kath and I were in complete agreement this year over the work that really stood out and resonated with us, so there was no need for our usual lengthy discussions about the winners. Congratulations to them all.”

Kath Hadden also provided personal feedback for each artist. She said, “All three of the 7–11 Category had a strong sense of place and very personal connections to the landscape.”

She wrote:

“Many congratulations, Arabella. I loved your drawing - I kept going back to look at it and finding more and more to see. It’s a clever idea to show what you can see between the horse’s ears. You have also created an important narrative, telling the story of British farming.”

“Congratulations, Constance, on a beautiful drawing of Brentor - a lovely composition. I love the church on the hill and the animals.”

“Josiah’s oil pastel piece takes me straight to Dartmoor. I love the way he has drawn the heavy rocks of Shelstone Tor, and the small orange tent tucked in the shelter of the Tor.”

“Poppy’s landscape painting of Hartland in North Devon immediately struck me. An exceptional piece of work showing great use of colour. I particularly love the way Poppy has captured the light on the water, reminiscent of Kurt Jackson. Congratulations, Poppy.”

“Jessica’s pen and watercolour of Firestone Bay captures the area beautifully. Lovely perspective and I particularly love the pebbles in the foreground."

“Seth’s watercolour of a North Devon Coast Path makes me immediately want to walk through that gate to find out what lies beyond. I love the cheeky fox sitting under the tree, and the contrast between the rugged coastpath and the more managed area within the dry stone wall.”