Hometown artist defeated 11 others who were painting to win at live Alton art battle

Competition on the canvas in Caledon

By Zachary Roman

The talent and confidence of 12 artists were on display for all to see last weekend.

On May 1, from 1 to 4 p.m., “The Competition Vol. One” was held at the Alton Mill Arts Centre.

The Competition was a live painting battle between 12 artists played out over 30-minute rounds. Four distinguished guest judges were on hand to provide critiques to artists, and the audience voted for which competitor's painting they liked best at the end of each round.

There was music playing, food and drinks served, and attendees were encouraged to walk around the room and chat as the artists worked.

All these factors combined to create a lively, social atmosphere. At the end of each round, event host Sam King would lead the crowd in a countdown from 10 before artists had to put down their paint brushes.

The 12 artists competing in the competition were Amanda Busby, Nicole Popo, Lydia Panart, Harley Duck, Wendy Mitchell, Andie Trepanier, Kate Nova, Jennifer Osborn, Kay, Kayla Jackson, Alex Leikermoser, and Haley Marfleet.

The four judges for the competition were Emilia Perri, Steve Wilson, Ricky Schaede, and Kelly McNeil.

Only four competitors made it to the final round: Busby, Panart, Jackson, and Marfleet.

After the final round, each judge was given $50 to award to their favourite painting. There was also a trophy made by the Alton Mills Arts Centre's blacksmith Jason Duclos that was to be given to the artist whose painting got the most votes from event attendees.

The trophy featured a piece of the Alton Mill Arts Centre itself embedded in iron.

Jackson's final painting incorporated the room the competition was taking place in, utilized light and space well, and featured great colours. For these reasons and more it ended up being the favourite of three judges: Emilia Perri, Ricky Schaede, and Kelly McNeil. 

All the judges were very impressed with all competing artists' confidence, speed, and artistic ability.

Perri said seeing what the artists made in just 30 minutes was spectacular. 

“I was blown away,” she said.

Marfleet painted a colourful and well-composed landscape that included a barn, and a fence that stretched across the canvas. Judge Steve Wilson was impressed with Marfleet's colour choice and subject placement and awarded Marfleet his $50.

Jackson received the most votes from event attendees and won “The Competition Vol. One” trophy, capping off an impressive day for the artist, who grew up in Alton.

Jackson, a Sheridan College illustration graduate, has done some theatre and singing in the past and said she wasn't fazed by the amount of people in the room watching her paint.

“I didn't even realize how many people were behind me,” she said. “...I didn't feel any stage pressure, which was an advantage.”

Jackson said she had an idea of what her finished paintings would look like before she started, which helped her get paint on the canvas quicker and leave space for what was coming.

“Since we had to do it in just 30 minutes, I couldn't let my layers dry in between, so I couldn't really sketch (the painting) out. I just had to trust myself, which is a really good exercise,” said Jackson. 

“Just place the paint where it was going to go, and then make a couple adjustments at the end.”

Jackson said growing up in Alton, she would often visit the Arts Centre which enabled her to be immersed in all different kinds of art.

She takes inspiration from the town she grew up in and enjoys painting old, heritage buildings and bringing their colours to life.

Last summer, she hosted her first exhibition at the Arts Centre, called “Vivid Memories, Vivid Moments.” Her paintings at that exhibition featured many of the old buildings in the area as subjects. She said it was a full circle moment and exciting to share with her community.

Jackson wanted to thank King and everyone else involved in making the painting competition happen. 

“It was a really friendly competition and I liked it a lot,” she said.

All paintings made by all 12 artists at the competition were available for purchase after the competition by silent auction, with bidding starting at $75. An exception was made for Jackson's winning painting, as it was announced before the final round the winner would be able to keep their painting to put finishing touches on and perhaps sell on commission later.

King said there will be more events coming in “The Competition” series across all art disciplines and invited people to stay tuned for the next one.