From the artist: The painting depicts a woman amidst three dogs. I chose to paint dogs as I felt inspired by their loyalty and the companionship they share with their owners. The woman and all three dogs share a similar feature, they all have one eye showing. I chose to do this to create visual appeal but also to create a sense of unity between the woman and her canine companions, emphasising the bond and shared perspective between them. The differing directions in which the eyes are looking show the characters bringing their own unique viewpoint to the companionship, yet they are all still unified by their closeness. I am very delighted to receive this award, and look forward to expanding my opportunities and developing my skills in art.