The Dubel Prize

Richard was born in Burton On Trent and wanted to be an Artist from an early age, as he was born with a fast moving creative mind that loves to produce Art. However, becoming an Artist as a career was not advised back in the 1980/90's, and he was advised to "get a proper job." After University Richard worked in the City, Digital Advertising and Consulting.

Then in 2018 he started painting again. He soon took oil painting seriously and trained in Portraiture at Heatherley's in Chelsea, where he learned classical techniques and finished in 2021. He did a series of paintings, with a nod to Hogarth, on social life in London today and then a series on Soho. The School of London artists, especially Freud and Bacon, are a subject of interest. Richard also likes to research and read about Art and Artists and will undertake a further research course, where he will address the importance of painting today.

Neil Watson, an emerging artist from Bristol, captivates viewers with his fresh perspective on urban landscapes. Drawing inspiration from the vivacious street art scenes and the dynamic energy of the South West, Neil's artistic focus infuses life into his canvases.

Using oil as his chosen medium, Neil skillfully weaves his creative expression, embodying influences reminiscent of Edward Hopper's style. A self-taught artist, Neil reignited his passion for painting during lockdown, rekindling his artistic journey that began back in his school days.

Neil participated in this season's Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year held at Hever Castle in June 2023. His work seamlessly blends the vibrant spirit of Plein Air painting with a masterful interplay of colour, light, and energy, transforming landscapes into captivating works of art.

Hannah Thomas is an abstract painter, currently based in WIitshire, UK. She attended the University of the West of England in Bristol graduating with a BA hons in Art and Visual Culture, going on to pursue a career as a photographer, primarily working in the music sector, in London.

In 2019 she chose to transition over to painting, in pursuit of a creative medium with far greater autonomy and creative control and one which allowed her to work with greater tactility and immediacy.

Hannah's work has sold to collectors in the UK and internationally. She recently won the VAA Scholarship & Exhibition Award and she was recently commissioned to contribute a work painted on a reclaimed London bus panel for auction with 4bySix.

She was included in the Ty Pawb Open exhibition in Wales and she was shortlisted for this year's Visual Art Open. She took part in The Other Art Fair in London in October 2022.

She is currently working out of her studio in Bradford on Avon and is participating in the correspondence course with Turps Art School in September.

20-year-old London-based creative prodigy, Freddie Peacock, is the latest young talent to breakthrough the London scene, honouring his skills as a contemporary artist and designer. Originally heavily focused on portraiture as a painter, Peacock expanded his horizons to both landscapes and timeless statement pieces, with the aim of showing his audience that he is talented in more than one field. A so far remarkable career has been recognised by numerous brands, musicians and media outlets on a worldwide scale. Notably, by lnstagram, when he was selected as one of the best creators on their platform under the age of 21. Despite the extent of the projects Peacock has planned for 2023, he is also currently pursuing a degree in jewellery design at Central Saint Martins. In 2022, Peacock partnered with the London-based non-profit organisation '4BYSIX' to create the painting "Who is Virgil?" which was displayed in a group exhibition on Bond Street. The piece paid tribute to, and dissected the extraordinary life and career of the late design icon, Virgil Abloh, and performed above expectations, outbidding some of the most renowned artists already existing in the scene.