Just browsing the recently announced results of the 64^th Texaco Children’s Art Competition and it would really give you great hope for the future of genuine art in Ireland. Hardly anything abstract and masses of really superb paintings. Hopefully all this natural talent will not be derailed for those who go on to study Art at 3^rd level.

The overall 1^st Prize winner was Hetty Lawlor (18) from the Sacred Heart School in Westport, County Mayo. Her painting “Gráinne” is just stunning!

“Gráinne” by Hetty Lawlor – winner of the 1st Prize.

I was also very taken by “Still Life Study” by Amy Zhao (13) from Our Lady’s Bower, Athlone in County Westmeath; and “Skyline” by Natalia Connolly (13) from Presentation College, Askea in County Carlow – both of which received Special Merit Awards.

Above – in the Children with Special Needs category “The Man with Many Names” by Ryan Donnelly (17) from Belfast also received a richly deserved Special Merit Award.

Check out all the galleries and results on the Texaco website here: www.texacochildrensart.com

And if that’s not enough for you, don’t forget to drop in for a look at my own rapidly expanding “Art For Art’s Sake!” site at www.irishartindex.wordpress.com