Artist Leon Holmes takes out Live@theWeir Plein Air Country Paint Out competition for second consecutive year

Acclaimed artist Leon Holmes has taken out the Plein Air Country Paint Out competition at the Shire of Waroona’s Live@theWeir for the second consecutive year. Holmes’ piece was judged best afield and edged out artworks from Barb Thoms, Jemma Bruning and Eleanor Bennier to claim the $500 winner’s prize after the allotted time of two hours. Plein air is a French term that means out of doors and refers to the practice of painting entire finished pictures outside. A fitting winner, Holmes is an ambassador for Australian outdoor painting and started the Plein air painters of Australia Facebook group and the Plein Air Down Under festival. The Mandurah-based artist said he has had an affinity for plein air painting since learning about artists such as Arthur Streeton, Tom Roberts and Frederick McCubbin when he was younger. “It has been something I have been drawn to since learning about the Australian impressionists in high school,” he said. “We learnt that at school and our teacher took us out into the field to do some drawing and painting. “Over the years it has become more of my practice, and I have found more benefit in painting outdoors than painting off a photograph in the studio. “Nowadays, 2 per cent of my work is done from photography and the rest of it is done from live sketching and live painting.” Plein air art was something Holmes said he was introduced to overseas and it had since become his niche. The award-winning painter said the competition at Live@theWeir was different from his usual practice because it was about completing a finished artwork. Holmes said his winning painting last year was centred around the overcast conditions on the day, but this year he wanted to capture the “beautiful bright colours of the crowd”. “Last year I won it as well and painted the hills and the landscape,” he said. “On that day there were a few more clouds around and it was a bit moodier and the atmosphere was in the weather so I tried to make that the story of the painting. “In the painting on the weekend, I decided to hone in on the activity, the people and the lifestyle of the summer life.” Despite having taken out top-spot at the last two Live@theWeir Plein Air Country Paint Out competitions, Holmes said he was not just coming back for the accolades or prize money. “I think it is fantastic that the Shire of Waroona has taken this initiative,” he said. “The digital age has come in and taken over the ability to be an illustrator. “A lot of these illustrators have lost their place in the industry and found their way in plein air painting. “For Waroona to take on an initiative like this will only help it grow. “It’s absolutely stunning and we just had a beautiful, relaxing afternoon.