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For the last few years, Harlow has been a familiar face at the Mandurah Plein Air Festival—a vibrant celebration of outdoor painting that brings together over 250 artists for workshops, paint-outs and exhibitions across the region. This year marked the festival’s biggest exhibition yet at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, showcasing works created entirely in the open air during the event.
Harlow embraced the challenge of painting outdoors, finding inspiration in the lively atmosphere of paint-outs complete with tents, hubs and live music. One highlight was the Pinjarra Heritage Trail paint-out, where Harlow created 'Got Any Grapes?', an oil painting sparked by a playful encounter with geese that kept interrupting the scene. The piece captured the essence of the landscape while weaving in inventive details drawn from the surroundings.
That creativity paid off. 'Got Any Grapes?' earned Harlow two prestigious awards: the Youth Award, judged by a panel of artists, and the People’s Choice Award for the entire exhibition. Harlow also took home the Youth Award last year. Winning People’s Choice was especially meaningful, as it reflected the admiration of both fellow artists and the public.
For Harlow, Plein Air is a chance to connect with like-minded creatives, learn from renowned artists like impressionist painter Michele Usibelli, and be immersed in Mandurah’s supportive arts community.
TSS encourages students to pursue real-world creative ventures and Harlow was supported by TSS's teacher-facilitators to fully embrace the festival. During Project Time, Harlow has been exploring different techniques and shaping his creative practice.
TSS also fosters a collaborative environment where creativity thrives and students are surrounded by peers who share ideas and offer feedback. The flexibility and encouragement of bigger projects at TSS empower students to take bold steps, like participating in one of Western Australia’s most celebrated art festivals.
