Izzy Shepard wins Junior Art Competition for second year running

Shirley Robertson and Izzy Shepard with the winning artwork © Michael Austen

Aberdeen Asset Management is today delighted to present the winner of the 2013 Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week junior art competition with £1,000 in prize-money, an Aberdeen sailing pack and a day's hospitality at the regatta.

Artwork by 2012 winner, 11-year old Izzy Shepard from Royal Southampton Yacht Club, has once again been selected by the panel as the best entry into the competition, and Izzy and her family are in Cowes today celebrating the success.

This year Izzy wowed the judging panel of double Olympic gold medallist Shirley Robertson, fine art auctioneer Nick Bonham, and representatives from Aberdeen Asset Management and Cowes Week Limited, with her interpretation of the 'sealife and sailing' theme.

Her artwork beat all of the other entrants in the Under 16s category from sailing clubs across the Solent and South coast.

The artwork took Izzy over eight weeks of planning and painting, and she deservedly won the competition for the second year running.

Chatting at today's presentation about what gave her the inspiration to paint this impressive acrylic, Izzy commented: "It mostly comes from my family but because of the theme of sealife and sailing, I was keen to base it on the Isle of Wight, and my dad suggested the Needles. We got a few photos together and merged the boat sailing, the Needles and the dolphins, which we had on a video we quite liked."

The keen artist, who won the competition last year with her painting of the Royal Yacht Squadron, said she loves painting when she gets the time. "This year's one took me about two months on and off. I tend to do a bit at a time, stand back and carry on when I'm in the mood. I enjoy working with acrylics because they blend in well and create nice effects with vibrant, strong colours."

Last year's £1,000 prize money was used to purchase a Laser Pico for Royal Southampton Yacht Club. Izzy continued: "I was so pleased, particularly as they named it Isabella after me. I'm not sure what will happen to this year's prize money but I am sure the club will be delighted."

Izzy's artwork has been on display all week in the Nel Blu art gallery in Cowes, along with the piece by competition runner-up William Morris from Shanklin Sailing Club, aged 10, who has won Gill sailing kit, as well as a donation of £500 to his sailing club.

There was also a prize for the best artwork by a child aged 10 years and under, which went to Joseph Caddick from Brading Haven Sailing Club, aged 8.