MEDIA RELEASE 28 March 2008
Local mouth painting artist wins first place in Easter Show art awards
Howick mouth painting artist Raymond Hickey won first place in the Art Awards at
the Auckland Easter Show last weekend and demonstrated his unique painting
technique to spectators.
This is the fourth time Raymond has won the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (MFPA)
section of the Art Awards. The winning painting, entitled 'Nature's Harmony'
depicts the Coromandel Peninsula on the East Coast where a fellow MFPA artist
has a holiday home.
'Coromandel is a beautiful holiday spot, it has such lovely white beaches. I
painted this work whilst on holiday there,' said Raymond.
Raymond enjoys demonstrating his technique to an audience and has been doing so
for the past 12 years at the Easter Show.
'People are very interested in what you're doing and how it's being done. This
year I painted a watercolour of Eastern Beach, one person even recognised the
scene,' Raymond said.
Raymond also entered two other artworks which both received honourable mentions
at the Art Awards, one entitled 'Boat', the other entitled 'Youth'.
Founded in 1956 by a group of European artists, the MFPA is a self-help
organisation which gives people with disabilities the opportunity to fulfil
their creative ambitions while still maintaining financial independence by
selectively selling their artworks.
The MFPA was established in New Zealand in 1961 and currently has 20 members.
To become a student member an artist must qualify by painting using a brush held
in either their mouth or foot, having lost the use of their hands through an
illness or accident. Student members receive scholarships for art supplies and
tuition. Once an artist becomes a full member or associate they are guaranteed a
salary for life, even if they are unable to continue painting.
For further information on the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists contact MFPA on
(09) 827 6746.
Released for Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (MFPA) by Dennis Rutzou Public
Relations (www.drpr.com.au)
For further information please call Anthia Crosby or Nicola Rutzou on 61 2 9413
4244.
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