Inverell artist Madelaine Russell's stunningly detailed, pencil-drawn portrait proved to be most popular amongst the public, taking out the 2019 Moree Portrait Prize People's Choice award.
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Ms Russell said she was thrilled to be announced as the winner of the $500 Rhodes Kildea People's Choice Prize by Bank Art Museum Moree (BAMM).
"I almost cried," she said when she found out.
"It was so exciting."
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This is the second time Ms Russell has entered BAMM's Moree Portrait Prize and it certainly won't be her last.
Ms Russell has been creating art ever since she was a child. She mostly does portraiture, featuring images of "beautiful" girls she finds online, using pencil.
While her winning portrait, Out of the Woods, is not of a particular person, Ms Russell said she thinks Taylor Swift provided some of the inspiration behind the piece.
"I was listening to a lot of Taylor Swift songs when that one came out, and was doing the Into the Woods musical at college," she said.
BAMM interim director Kate Tuart said voting for the 2019 People's Choice Prize was tight, with only six votes separating the top three place-getters.
"With so many popular works it was hard for our visitors to choose a favourite," she said.
More than 200 artists from near and far entered the 2019 Moree Portrait Prize, and judge Allison Bellinger, owner of the A.K. Bellinger Gallery in Inverell, said she was impressed with the depth of competition.
"There is clearly a diverse section of talented artists in the community and it is great to have such a strong competition that offers incentives for their work," she said.
Ms Tuart congratulated all artists who entered this year's competition.
"It has been a joy to see so many local artists getting involved in the Prize," she said.
"I know we had quite a few first-time entrants this year and we are hoping to inspire a few more for our 2020 Moree Portrait Prize with the nationally-renowned Archibald portraiture prize set to visit us this March.
"With a record number of entrants, it is clear that the community is really looking to get involved in these kinds of creative local events.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who came along to see the exhibition, and of course our artists and generous sponsors, who make the exhibition possible."
BAMM would like to thank major sponsor, the Barne Family of Binneguy Station, for their support of the Grand Open Prize, as well as Rhodes Kildea, Irritek and Moree Plains Shire Council for their continued sponsorship of the other prize categories.
More than $3500 was awarded to artists across five categories in 2019 and BAMM hopes to increase the prize money offered in 2020, with increased interest in the competition from local artists and sponsors. Interested businesses are encouraged to express their interest now for 2020.
Meanwhile BAMM is calling all local artists to keep their paintbrushes, pastels and pencils at the ready because the BAMM Art Fair is back for its second instalment in June 2020.
This event will include 'Micro' Exhibitions by local artists and an open Group Exhibition, as well as a Cocktail Opening Night and outdoor Arts and Crafts Garden Market. A new addition in 2020 will be The Painted River Wetlands workshop and artists' day, to be held in early April in the lead up to the Art Fair.
All interested artists and crafters are encouraged to contact BAMM to apply, and more information will be available in the coming months.
BAMM also encourages budding young artists to start thinking about their entries for the Young Archies competition, associated with Archibald Prize exhibition in March.
