MY CREATIVITY tends to lie in words, not art.
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So I thought a recent invitation to be a “celebrity artist” in the Bega Show garden gnome painting competition was a bit of stretch.
But as a bit of fun and to raise money for charity, why not give it a go?
With instructions on painting it to resemble my own personality or perhaps somebody famous, then adding creative embellishments, I set to work.
During my three-year-old’s arts and craft time, I broke out the acrylic paints and brushes supplied by the Bega Show Society - and tried to keep my daughter from adding her own touches to my gnome.
His beanie was first to find colour – isn’t it the law a gnome has to have a red hat?
After that it was bit of a mish-mash of colours, styles and fashions – and a rather sun-blemished skin tone - so perhaps not so far from my own personality as I would normally admit.
Member for Bega Andrew Constance posted a photo of his creation on Twitter this week, triggering some cheeky comments and Facebook fun.
After seeing his Wallabies-themed gnome, I was worried mine may not be up to standard.
Even more so now I’ve found out Bega Chamber of Commerce president - and Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award finalist – Mal Barnes is also in the mix.
However, encouragement was shortly to come as ABC South-East Radio’s Ian Campbell revealed he has a lot of work to do.
Or is it all a ploy to give the rest of us a false sense of security?
For now, the gnomes of Mayor Bill Taylor, entertainer Frankie J Holden and River Cottage Australia host Paul West remain a mystery.
Also a mystery is the eighth “celebrity artist” who has a gnome in the works.
Bega Show chief pavilion steward Barb Rogers is remaining tight-lipped on that front, so curious gnome aficionados will have to wait until show day for the reveal!
The eight gnomes will be among the Far South National Show pavilion exhibits and open to a people’s choice award.
Sounds good!
Ms Rogers said they are also to be properly judged as well.
Err…
After judging, the eight hand-painted gnomes will be auctioned off, with proceeds to go to local charities such as the Rural Fire Service.
“It was all to spark a bit of interest, which this certainly has,” Ms Rogers said of the gnome-fuelled social media banter this week.
* BEGA SHOW SPECIAL FEATURE INSIDE FRIDAY'S BDN