Rapid painting produces exceptional results

For the last 18-years The City of Torrevieja has hosted a rapid painting competition which has grown in stature, year, after year, after year.

2010 was no exception as artists from all over Spain descended on the City to compete for the first prize of 2,000 euros, alongside local talent. The concept is very simple; arrive with painting supplies and blank canvas in hand, paint your subject matter and return before the designated time.

The 2010 event was held on the morning of Sunday May 30 and 41 artists hit the streets, mostly situating themselves around the Cultural Centre or close to the waterfront, noting that time was of the essence due to the nature of the competition. The eventual winner was Alfonso Arauzo Gonzalez, from Burgos who won 2,000 euros and a trophy for first prize. Alfonso's work was a minimalist combination of shades with a subtle use of light and shadows. The second prize of 1,200 euros, went to Paul Ruben Lopez, of the Paseo Vista Alegre, with the third prize, which is also the local award, going to Isabel Herrero Ballester, who took home 800 euros for her interpretation of the bells that are sitting on the side of the Church of the Immaculate Conception.
 
Although there were fewer entries this year than in the past, the jury noted that the standard was considerably higher and had now reached an excellent level which would be hard to surpass. Each one of the 41 works was rated on originality, technical ability, interpretation implementation plus that little something that represented the values and lifestyle of Torrevieja. This year’s jury was composed of Victor García Villalgordo (painter and sculptor), Ferran Gisbert Carbonell (the artist who won the 2010 edition of Torrevieja’s Young Painter’s Prize), Marco Andrés Gil Witko (artist) and Mar Garcia Torregrosa (director of the Torrevieja’s Municipal School of Painting).

The standard of some of the work that the artists produce in just a couple of hours is outstanding and all of the finalists’ work can be seen by visiting the Virgen del Carmen Cultural Centre, where they are on display until June 6. Some of the entries are also available for purchase. 21 paintings including those of the winners and runners up are on display and well worth 15-minutes of your time to have a good look at.

Keith Nicol

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