FROM eyeballs of doom to misty seahorses, this year’s Annual Arttime Colour Challenge proved once again that one colour can spark hundreds of wildly different ideas.
Held each year by Arttime Gallery and Fine Art Supplies in Ipswich’s Top of Town precinct, the much-loved creative competition challenged artists to incorporate one specific colour into their artwork – and for 2026, the chosen shade was the striking cobalt turquoise.
The rules were simple. Every entrant received the same size canvas and the same tube of paint, with the rest left entirely to imagination. Adult artists worked on 18 x 18-inch canvases, while junior entrants created on 12 x 12-inch canvases, all competing for cash prizes, certificates and championship trophies.
With up to 50 artists entered in both the adult and junior divisions, the gallery walls quickly transformed into a sea of wildly different interpretations – from bold fantasy pieces to delicate natural scenes – all tied together by flashes of cobalt turquoise.
This year’s competition was judged by talented artist Starr from Starr Fine Art, who faced the difficult task of selecting winners from the impressive field.
After careful deliberation, the judges crowned Lilly Griffiths the adult category champion for her standout piece Atomic Girl and the Eyeballs of Doom. Linda Maine claimed second place, while Linda Senjov secured third.
In the junior division, Caspian took home first prize for Seahorse Mist, with Valentina awarded second place and Cara finishing third.
The competition also includes a People’s Choice Award worth $100 cash, giving visitors the chance to vote for their favourite artwork before the exhibition closes.
