The sixth annual Johnstone’s Young Painter of the Year competition reached a thrilling climax at the 2010 National Painting and Decorating Show as student painter and decorator Kerry Isom became the first female winner of the prestigious event.
Organised by leading paint manufacturer Johnstone’s, the Young Painter of the Year Awards aims to showcase young talent, reward best practice and encourage young people to enter the professional painting and decorating industry.
Tasked with undertaking two days of highly skilled painting at Johnstone’s dedicated stand under the watchful glare of Johnstone’s technical experts and visitors to the show, Kerry held her nerve to beat off the competition from six other finalists to claim the coveted top spot. 21-year-old Kerry walked away with an array of prizes including a multimedia laptop, photo printer, and an iPod Touch as well as VIP tickets to both the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final at Wembley and the Painter of the Year Awards in 2011. Kerry also won a paint sprayer donated by Earlex, a Brushmate Trade 20 storage system and a Youngman’s Odd Job work platform. Bournemouth and Poole College, where Kerry studies alongside working as an apprentice decorator with Bournemouth Council, was presented with a Graco Mini Max Paint Sprayer.
Challenging Kerry all the way for the title was 23-year-old Christopher Shaw, who studies Painting and Decorating at Doncaster College, and he walked away with an iPod Touch and a Brushmate Trade 20 Storage System after securing second place in the incredibly competitive field.
A smiling Kerry said: “It’s been an incredible experience and I’m just delighted to have won. With thousands of people walking past each day, the nerves were really jangling but in the end I managed to keep it together and I’m thrilled to have come out on top. I’ve picked up a number of skills that I’ll take back with me into my studies and work, particularly how to perform under pressure and how to ‘cut in’.
“Johnstone’s Young Painter of the Year gives people the chance to demonstrate their skills and gain experience for the future and it looks great on a CV! Hopefully it will encourage more young people to get into the trade.”
After proving their creative talents at the regional heats throughout the spring and summer, the seven finalists were given a detailed specification to follow that had been devised by Johnstone’s to test the students’ painting and decorating skills in a number of key areas including preparation, application and ability to work from a written brief.
Each student had their own workstation with wall panels, a door and doorframe, dado rail and skirting board and was evaluated on their accuracy, attention to detail and ability to apply different paint types.
Using a variety of water based products from Johnstone’s extensive product range to complete the practical tasks, the young painters also used brushes from Fat Hog’s popular Evolution range.
Johnstone’s technical trainer Pete McParland ,who judged the event alongside colleague Mark Simpson adds: “What is particularly great about Johnstone’s Young Painter of the Year competition is that the finalists really do have to perform under pressure and completing such complex tasks in timed conditions and in full view of thousands of professionals at the National Painting and Decorating Show is no easy feat. Now in its sixth year, the 2010 event has been the most successful to date and it’s great to see so much young talent out there. All the finalists should be extremely proud of their achievements.”
Entries for the 2011 Johnstone’s Young Painter of the Year competition are now being accepted and following a number of regional heats during the Spring, the best of the best will once again come together for the national final.
To download an application form, click here.