Papamoa artist Bryce Brown is 'really stoked” to be recognised by the art community after winning a Merit Award in the prestigious Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Awards for Painting and Drawing in Whakatane.

Over 320 entries were received to the awards this year, with 84 finalists selected.

The winning painting, Six Fellows in a Field.

Bryce's winning painting, Six Fellows in a Field, is painted using acrylic with a high varnish finish. The Papamoa artist admits he doesn't usually enter himself into competitions, but is 'really glad I did this time”.

He says the piece is a composition of many different bits and pieces from his own experiences.

'I try not to tie it down to what it [the paintings] means it be me because it limits what it means to others.

'I chose this piece to enter as I think it appeals to a lot of people as opposed to some of my other more personal works.”

When talking about his distinctive Euro/Polynesian figurative style, Bryce says 'I like to explore human nature and movement through my paintings. I use strong line, texture and colour to accentuate human form and emotion.”

The Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Award is a nationally recognised achievement for emerging and established artists, named after the late Wellington painter Molly Morpeth Canaday. An exhibit of the winners is now showing in Whakatane until February 6.

Bryce is holding his own exhibit at Creative Tauranga on March 8. For more of his works visit his website on www.brycebrownart.com