First, I`d just like to say that I am very happy and gratified to have to won the recent “Animals” Art Competition. I decided to enter the Light Space & Time competition after receiving a "Certificate of Excellence" at the 2010 Palm Art Awards in Germany. The “Animals” Art Competition was only my second international competition that I ever entered and I have now placed in both competitions! 

My only other competition success (apart from local closed art group competitions) was a 4th Place Art Award at the Royal Easter Show in Auckland, and that was 6 years ago! I always secretly thought that I “had it” and now this award confirms it for me. In many art groups and shows in my country, they seem to prefer a "way out" type of art and not my "everyday - how wonderful our country/planet" type of art. 

Thank you, because you have helped me so much and I now believe and have confidence in myself just a little more than before. After winning, I contacted our local newspaper and they did a story on this competition and my award and they even included a photo of the Award Certificate that I had laminated that morning!

Again, thank you for all your help, wonderful comments, as it has renewed my confidence in myself and my artistic abilities.

Toni Dolan - www.tonidolan.co.nz