Well, 2nd prize actually but still a winner 🙂

I had been crossing my fingers (and toes!) since I entered, feeling very hopeful until the award ceremony last night, when my confidence completely crashed while the winners were getting announced… I was thinking all sorts of negative thoughts when suddenly, I heard my name announced as the 2nd prize! Really??

I was so happy that I shook the hand of the Executive Director of Operations, Shaun Drummond, so hard I may have caused him permanent damage!  He told me how much he loved the beautiful colours in my painting while our photo was taken.

My painting on the left, next to the 1st prize

This is the first time my art has won an award but to be fair, this is only the 2nd competition I have ever entered! The first one was for the Waverley Art Prize back in 2004 (I think) and my paintings were not even selected for the exhibition! Let me tell you, that did not make me feel good but instead of losing motivation, I told myself I wasn’t going to let that defeat me (it’s so subjective after all) and I would keep doing my thing. I just swore I’d never enter another prize hahaha.

But the Westmead Hospital Art Prize was different as I felt it served an important purpose as it is connected to healing, just like my art is connected to bringing happiness and positive feelings. Connecting with people, especially at times of vulnerability, pain and sadness, is so important and at the essence of what I do!

Now my painting Exploration will be permanently displayed there for all doctors, students, patients and their family and friends to enjoy and hopefully, connect with. It has been acquired by the hospital and will remain in its private art collection, the largest one of all hospitals in Australia.

A little more info about the prize from the Parramatta Sun newspaper.

There… I just wanted to share my joy with you!!

And I’ll admit it… I skipped a little in the corridor on the way out 🙂

Mimi.

Grinning like crazy!