Portrait of an artist (From Times Series)

Portrait of an artist

9:17am Thursday 12th August 2010 in

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A BARNET man has seen off competition from more than 100 artists to win an annual contest held to recognise local artistic talent. Richard Greaves, a member of Insight School of Art, won the Milly Apthorp Prize with his painting Self Portrait 2, and his work now forms part of artsdepot’s annual open exhibition.

Thirty-two artists were selected for the exhibition, which as well as featuring the open entry competition also showcases the work of emerging and established artists who live, work or study in the borough.

Richard took the £750 first prize, and the 50-year-old says he is delighted to have won.

“It’s the first time I’ve won anything in my life,“ he says. “For years I’ve liked the idea of getting into oil painting and portraiture.“ For the last 20 years, Richard has worked as an illustrator on children’s books, under the pen-name of Rory Tyger. These include a series about a bear called Newton.

“Another reason I got into oil painting was because I was spending more time doing the administration for that [the Newton books], and I needed something else.

“To have total strangers giving me a first prize is a pat on the back and a prod to keep going. It’s my second self portrait; I can’t get cross or bored with me, so I’m always there to study and get it right.“ The £250 runner-up prize was awarded to Myra Lawson from Finchley, whose colourful photograph of Regents Canal explores the theme of transformation.

Open Monday to Saturday, 12 noon-4pm, at artsdepot, Finchley. Details: 020 8369 5454, www.artsdepot.co.uk