In 2000 I first took part in an international bird illustrator competition. To my great surprise with immediate success.
British Birds magazine’s competition, ’Bird Illustrator of the Year’ has been running for several years.
One of the four black-and-white entry works won a special price,
’The PJC Award’ (it illustrates the Saint Stephen’s Cathedral in Budapest with an overflying Peregrine). This prize was
donated by famous wildlife artist David Cook in memory of his first wife Pauline Jean Cook, and is awarded for the artwork
with individual merit. I took part in the prize-giving ceremony at the British Birdwatching Fair. I held the trophy for
one year. |
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| The same year I took part also in Birdwatch magazine’s competition,
’Birdwatch Artist of the Year’. I had one page in the calendar made from the entries with my Imperial Eagle plate. |
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| To my great delight 2001 was also fruitful. I came third in the British Birds’ competition, and was also included in the Birdwatch’s calendar again. |
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| Next year, another surprise! Third again in the British Birds’s competition. |
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| And my Curlew plate brought me first prize in the identification category of Birdwatch’s competition. |
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I was sad to hear that British Birds decided to end it’s famous competition. I had several good ideas.
I’ve just finished a painting in the last minute for Birdwatch. No prize this time but my entry work was included in the magazine and the 2004 calendar. |
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| This year I've been selected in the prestigious 'Birds in Art' exhibition of the Leigh Yawkey
Woodson Art Museum. From 1075 entryworks, only 100 artists have been chosen. My painting 'Peregrine on Saint Stephen's Cathedral'
is featuring their 2006 catalogue. |
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I've won the 'Birdwatch Artist of the Year' competition with my Shorebird oil
painting 'We are all young'.
Dominic Mitchell, Managing Director of Birdwatch sais: "Szabi's work, entitled
'We are all young', is a captivating study of juvenile waders at close quarters featuring Ruff, Dunlin, Little Stint and Pectoral Sandpiper.
It provides a bird's-eye view in feather-by-feather detail, the artist having perfectly captured the character, posture and plumage of the
featured species. All the judges were impressed with the composition and excecution of the work and felt that Szabi Kókay was a worthy
winner." |
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