Local Artist Dave McCreary was victorious at the third local Art Battle on March 3. He moves on to compete in the regional battle in July.

Local artist’s took their brushes to war for the right to call themselves Brantford’s champion.

A dozen artists from Brantford and surrounding area at the Brantford Art Battle on March 3 at The Rope Factory on Sherwood Drive where they had to complete two paintings in two 20 minute rounds.

Dave McCreary, a well-known local artist and educator was the victor after painting two cartoon portraits.

McCreary said before signing up for the third local art battle, he had never painted with acrylics.

“It’s exciting, it was my goal to get to the second round. I didn’t know if I could win, but I knew I could get there,” he said.

Ive always drawn or penned portraits. I’ve been drawing for almost 40 years. I could never afford to paint before. There was a learning curve. I spent every night painting for about 2 months before the art battle.”

Joshua Wall, one of the organizers of the satellite event said that although a winner is announced through a voting system all of the artists are winners.

“There is no winner or loser. Art is subjective; what was winner to this crowd or what people think is the best it’s just kind of a vibe that happens. It’s the same at a gallery,” he said.

Of course I’m thrilled Dave won, he’s a local artist, but we like to think everybody there is a winner;

everybody did a phenomenal job and the votes reflect that.”

The battle consists of two rounds of six artists. The two artists with the most votes from the crowd move on to the finals. One of those four will win.

Wall said for the first time there was a four person tie leading to the final consisting of six artists.

Chris Pemberton, one of the founders of the national art battle events was present and said he had never seen a four person tie.

Wall said after seeing an event in Hamilton he decided to start one locally with Murky Productions, Paint-Club and The Rope Factory because it helps gives the artist a kind of athlete-like experience where people get to see them work and cheer for them in a fun environment.

“Often artists are respected and admired for their work and not for themselves. As an artist people know the lineup of work, so we merge sports and it work brings the artist out of the studio into public eye. It gives them the spot light or the same limelight as if they were a boxer,” he said.

McCreary will represent Brantford at the regionals in Brantford in July.

“I’m excited, it’s pretty cool,” he said.

McCreary was also nominated for cartoonist of the year at the Ontario Community Newspaper Association Awards for his editorial cartoons which appeared in the Brant News.

For more information about Art Battle visit https://artbattle.com/ca/.