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Award-winning Paintings From
NTD’s International Figure Painting Competition
Canvas wraps, photo prints, art posters, and framed prints available for purchase
Inspired Original is delighted to partner with NTD’s International Figure Painting Competition
to present a selection of oil paintings by talented artists from around the world.
NTD’s International Figure Painting Competition's mission, “Pure Truth, Kindness and Beauty,”
has gained the respect of more and more realism oil painters. Through the competition, many contestants
recognize a responsibility to society in creating pieces with traditional values.
All net proceeds will go toward supporting the artists and NTD's International Figure Painting Competition.
Inspired Original is honored to contribute to this program as it aligns with
our mission to preserve and transmit traditional arts to future generations.
Birds of the Air, Grass of the Field
Lauren Tilden
Bronze Award
Size: 48 x 36 in
Oil on canvas
You can almost hear the gentle breeze pass through the grass, rustling the weeds and Queen Anne's lace just enough so that everything sways together in a soft lullaby. The little sparrows are undisturbed, as is the little girl without a worry in the world. Maybe she lay down to enjoy the nature or the weather, and drifted off into a nap under that warm, transparent light that plays across her cheeks and her bare feet.
The pure innocence of the scene is a revelation.
The artist began the work during her personal health crisis. Faced with her own mortality and extreme worry, she grappled with her faith. Over the course of the year, she decided that no matter the outcome, she was trusting God.
While contemplating the value of human life, and how precious it is, the artist's own young daughter became her stand-in, her persona in the painting.
Children and their innocence remind us of the fragility of life, she said. We have all been children, but our lives are still just as fragile. And yes perhaps there is sadness in this, but there is also joy.
For original artwork enquires, please contact here:
Bronze Award
Size: 48 x 36 in
Oil on canvas
You can almost hear the gentle breeze pass through the grass, rustling the weeds and Queen Anne's lace just enough so that everything sways together in a soft lullaby. The little sparrows are undisturbed, as is the little girl without a worry in the world. Maybe she lay down to enjoy the nature or the weather, and drifted off into a nap under that warm, transparent light that plays across her cheeks and her bare feet.
The pure innocence of the scene is a revelation.
The artist began the work during her personal health crisis. Faced with her own mortality and extreme worry, she grappled with her faith. Over the course of the year, she decided that no matter the outcome, she was trusting God.
While contemplating the value of human life, and how precious it is, the artist's own young daughter became her stand-in, her persona in the painting.
Children and their innocence remind us of the fragility of life, she said. We have all been children, but our lives are still just as fragile. And yes perhaps there is sadness in this, but there is also joy.
For original artwork enquires, please contact here:
Milena’s Friends
Clodoaldo Martins
Humanity & Culture Award
Size: 31 1/2 x 23 1/2 in
Oil on canvas
Martins works in a traditional style with oils, and relies completely on his imagination. There is no formula, he says, it’s just original.
“The history of this painting is related to where I grew up, my past, my adolescence,” the Brazilian painter said. One day, he visited his mother-in-law and saw in the backyard a simple and small corner with lovely light, and it reminded him of a painting he had seen before. He made some sketches to save the moment, and when he saw it again with the birds and an 11-year-old girl, it caught his attention.
“To make this kind of painting, you don’t have the control. More so if you work with children, because they can’t keep calm, and you lose a lot of expressions.”
“I worked with a lot of difficulty,” Martins said of his oil painting “Milena’s Friends.” He had to quickly take into account the many movements of the birds and the young girl. Yes, it would have been easier to work in a studio with a model, or even from a photograph, but it would not have been the same.
For original artwork enquires, please contact here:
Humanity & Culture Award
Size: 31 1/2 x 23 1/2 in
Oil on canvas
Martins works in a traditional style with oils, and relies completely on his imagination. There is no formula, he says, it’s just original.
“The history of this painting is related to where I grew up, my past, my adolescence,” the Brazilian painter said. One day, he visited his mother-in-law and saw in the backyard a simple and small corner with lovely light, and it reminded him of a painting he had seen before. He made some sketches to save the moment, and when he saw it again with the birds and an 11-year-old girl, it caught his attention.
“To make this kind of painting, you don’t have the control. More so if you work with children, because they can’t keep calm, and you lose a lot of expressions.”
“I worked with a lot of difficulty,” Martins said of his oil painting “Milena’s Friends.” He had to quickly take into account the many movements of the birds and the young girl. Yes, it would have been easier to work in a studio with a model, or even from a photograph, but it would not have been the same.
For original artwork enquires, please contact here:
Plum Blossoms in the Muddy World
Anonymous Artist
Silver Award
Size 42 x 61 in
Oil on canvas
This warm slice-of-life scene seems nothing special at first, except everything seems astoundingly real, as if the artist has breathed these figures into life. There is a peaceful tranquility to it all, as if everything is in harmony.
The painting on the back wall reminds us of this work's title: Plum Blossoms in a Muddy World. Plum blossoms are small, delicate seeming flowers that burst open even through the snow, often the first signs of an oncoming spring. They signify perseverance, and hope, that all brutal winters end and life is renewed once again.
The people in the room seem perfectly ordinary, but the book they are reading is "Zhuan Falun." It is a banned text in China, where the artist resides.
Officially an atheist regime, the Chinese Communist Party persecutes all sorts of religious believers and followers of faith. Its ongoing targeted attack on Falun Gong has been particularly brutal. Countless are detained in labor camps, and thousands have been killed for their faith.
Even the act of venturing out to read together requires tremendous bravery in China.
Golden energy blooms into the room as a result of their steadfast faith. Discs of divine light fall from above like blossoms signifying hope for the future even in our muddy world.
The artist has to secretly send the painting to the competition as the persecution is still going on in China. We can’t reveal his name to the public.
For original artwork enquires, please contact here:
Silver Award
Size 42 x 61 in
Oil on canvas
This warm slice-of-life scene seems nothing special at first, except everything seems astoundingly real, as if the artist has breathed these figures into life. There is a peaceful tranquility to it all, as if everything is in harmony.
The painting on the back wall reminds us of this work's title: Plum Blossoms in a Muddy World. Plum blossoms are small, delicate seeming flowers that burst open even through the snow, often the first signs of an oncoming spring. They signify perseverance, and hope, that all brutal winters end and life is renewed once again.
The people in the room seem perfectly ordinary, but the book they are reading is "Zhuan Falun." It is a banned text in China, where the artist resides.
Officially an atheist regime, the Chinese Communist Party persecutes all sorts of religious believers and followers of faith. Its ongoing targeted attack on Falun Gong has been particularly brutal. Countless are detained in labor camps, and thousands have been killed for their faith.
Even the act of venturing out to read together requires tremendous bravery in China.
Golden energy blooms into the room as a result of their steadfast faith. Discs of divine light fall from above like blossoms signifying hope for the future even in our muddy world.
The artist has to secretly send the painting to the competition as the persecution is still going on in China. We can’t reveal his name to the public.
For original artwork enquires, please contact here:
Unmoved
Loc Vuong
Humanity & Culture Award
Size: 29 1/2 x 39 1/2 in
Oil on canvas
“Three elements here: the little girl, the rock and the walls all are symbolic. It's not meant to be a real scene, it's meant to show us something as a symbol. This little girl is unmoved - sitting on top of a rock that is in itself unmoved. The walls are around her surrounding her. And there anything but unmoved, they're moving all the time and we sense that. But the brushstrokes and the colors surrounding this girl tell another story.
There's a whirlwind of emotion and activity going on in this painting. And this chaos all around and threat from below. But this little girl remains unmoved. Where does she get the strength? She's such a fragile, little girl. Where does she get the strength to do this? It’s up to you to figure it out.”
Juror Kathy Gillis's commentary - from NTD’s International Figure Painting Competition
For original artwork enquires, please contact here:
Humanity & Culture Award
Size: 29 1/2 x 39 1/2 in
Oil on canvas
“Three elements here: the little girl, the rock and the walls all are symbolic. It's not meant to be a real scene, it's meant to show us something as a symbol. This little girl is unmoved - sitting on top of a rock that is in itself unmoved. The walls are around her surrounding her. And there anything but unmoved, they're moving all the time and we sense that. But the brushstrokes and the colors surrounding this girl tell another story.
There's a whirlwind of emotion and activity going on in this painting. And this chaos all around and threat from below. But this little girl remains unmoved. Where does she get the strength? She's such a fragile, little girl. Where does she get the strength to do this? It’s up to you to figure it out.”
Juror Kathy Gillis's commentary - from NTD’s International Figure Painting Competition
For original artwork enquires, please contact here:
Child Fighter
Philippe lhuillier
Technique Award
Size: 47 1/2 x 47 1/2 in
Oil on canvas
A few years ago French artist Philippe Lhuillier returned home to France from Brazil with a suitcase full of 26 years of memories - and inspiration.
One of those memories was of his little neighbor.
“This boy is the son of a fisherman, he was 8 years old that year. He had curly hair and was very naughty. When I took pictures of him he took the initiative to pose,” Lhuillier said. “When I was painting this picture, I enjoyed it very much, because this boy is free and unfettered, with a sort of untamed innocence.”
When Lhuillier lived in Brazil, he worked helping disadvantaged children for many years. Inner cities could be permeated with crime and at risk youth, and he saw the difficulties that plagued children who lived amongst such social ills. But this child lived near the ports, away from the city crime, and he was different. He showed a sort of spirit that really moved Lhuillier.
“This child consciously resists the social maladies,” he said. “The child’s attitude touched me. I feel relieved to see him.”
For original artwork enquires, please contact here:
Technique Award
Size: 47 1/2 x 47 1/2 in
Oil on canvas
A few years ago French artist Philippe Lhuillier returned home to France from Brazil with a suitcase full of 26 years of memories - and inspiration.
One of those memories was of his little neighbor.
“This boy is the son of a fisherman, he was 8 years old that year. He had curly hair and was very naughty. When I took pictures of him he took the initiative to pose,” Lhuillier said. “When I was painting this picture, I enjoyed it very much, because this boy is free and unfettered, with a sort of untamed innocence.”
When Lhuillier lived in Brazil, he worked helping disadvantaged children for many years. Inner cities could be permeated with crime and at risk youth, and he saw the difficulties that plagued children who lived amongst such social ills. But this child lived near the ports, away from the city crime, and he was different. He showed a sort of spirit that really moved Lhuillier.
“This child consciously resists the social maladies,” he said. “The child’s attitude touched me. I feel relieved to see him.”
For original artwork enquires, please contact here:
Self-portrait Preparing for Worship
Joseph Daily
Bronze Award
Size: 23 1/2 x 39 1/2 in
Oil on canvas
“This man is somebody that believes in Gods and in worship. He prepares himself, purifies himself and takes the time to get ready for worship. And he expresses it in everything: in his clothes and in his demeanor. Everything is genuinely still, calm and looking within.
The painting itself is so simple, his face and his hand holding this symbol. It’s all very pure, simple and understandable.
That has to come from within and it has to come from a very genuine place. And the person - the artist himself - has to be this person. It is a self portrait but he's consistent in every brushstroke”.
Juror Kathy Gillis's commentary - from NTD’s International Figure Painting Competition
For original artwork enquires, please contact here:
Bronze Award
Size: 23 1/2 x 39 1/2 in
Oil on canvas
“This man is somebody that believes in Gods and in worship. He prepares himself, purifies himself and takes the time to get ready for worship. And he expresses it in everything: in his clothes and in his demeanor. Everything is genuinely still, calm and looking within.
The painting itself is so simple, his face and his hand holding this symbol. It’s all very pure, simple and understandable.
That has to come from within and it has to come from a very genuine place. And the person - the artist himself - has to be this person. It is a self portrait but he's consistent in every brushstroke”.
Juror Kathy Gillis's commentary - from NTD’s International Figure Painting Competition
For original artwork enquires, please contact here:
Spreading the Truth
Chiao-Yin Cheng
Bronze Award
Size: 82 1/2 x 55 1/2 in
Oil on canvas
“The sky tells the emotion of a painting. And if you look at that sky, it's full of turbulence. It's full of angst and all those figures are in a conflict with each other.
But in the midst of all this, we have a Falun Gong practitioner who is spreading truth, spreading, through flying papers, spreading truth to the world.
The artist attempted a classical style painting, balancing several moving bodies in a harmonic composition. It’s like a scene out of an opera or ballet, with everyone in mid-motion, at different stages. There is action in every square inch of the painting.
The shape of the figures together is something you might find in a battle scene, except in this scene the parties are not fighting each other. The policemen working under the authoritarian regime of China’s Communist Party are attacking peaceful protestors - two of these figures are in light colors in the foreground - and yet you can see that they are not even looking at the armed guards.
They have their eyes set on something higher, with a mission to spread the truth about this persecution that’s been ongoing in China. There is drama here without violence; there is even a sort of serenity or steadfastness in their faces that inspires hope.”
Juror Kathy Gillis's commentary - from NTD’s International Figure Painting Competition
For original artwork enquires, please contact here:
Bronze Award
Size: 82 1/2 x 55 1/2 in
Oil on canvas
“The sky tells the emotion of a painting. And if you look at that sky, it's full of turbulence. It's full of angst and all those figures are in a conflict with each other.
But in the midst of all this, we have a Falun Gong practitioner who is spreading truth, spreading, through flying papers, spreading truth to the world.
The artist attempted a classical style painting, balancing several moving bodies in a harmonic composition. It’s like a scene out of an opera or ballet, with everyone in mid-motion, at different stages. There is action in every square inch of the painting.
The shape of the figures together is something you might find in a battle scene, except in this scene the parties are not fighting each other. The policemen working under the authoritarian regime of China’s Communist Party are attacking peaceful protestors - two of these figures are in light colors in the foreground - and yet you can see that they are not even looking at the armed guards.
They have their eyes set on something higher, with a mission to spread the truth about this persecution that’s been ongoing in China. There is drama here without violence; there is even a sort of serenity or steadfastness in their faces that inspires hope.”
Juror Kathy Gillis's commentary - from NTD’s International Figure Painting Competition
For original artwork enquires, please contact here:
Between Generations
Pablo Roque
Humanity & Culture Award
Size: 32 x 25 1/2 in
Oil on canvas
In “Between Generations,” Roque depicts an Andean man’s traditional values. “This work portrays the feelings of the Andean man, who revalues his roots and his essence; as the basis of hard work, forging the land, and also its future,” Roque said. “The ancient Peruvians developed a close bond with nature, of respect, fear, and adoration. Men and animals depend exclusively on what the land produced and provided.”
“Thus, this work pays homage to Mother Earth, the ‘Pachamama,’ in gratitude for all the benefits we receive from her,” Roque said. He wanted to show “Andean customs that persist over time.”
“It is my commitment to spread the Andean culture towards future generations,”
“Each work is a great challenge. And in this case it was a great experience, from finding the model and composing the scene, representing what I had in mind. The strength of the eyes and the look had to be the strong point of the work,” Roque said.
He tried to focus on the man’s deep gaze and expression, livening it in such a way that the character could connect straight with the viewer.
“What comes from the soul, comes to the soul,” he said.
For original artwork enquires, please contact here:
Humanity & Culture Award
Size: 32 x 25 1/2 in
Oil on canvas
In “Between Generations,” Roque depicts an Andean man’s traditional values. “This work portrays the feelings of the Andean man, who revalues his roots and his essence; as the basis of hard work, forging the land, and also its future,” Roque said. “The ancient Peruvians developed a close bond with nature, of respect, fear, and adoration. Men and animals depend exclusively on what the land produced and provided.”
“Thus, this work pays homage to Mother Earth, the ‘Pachamama,’ in gratitude for all the benefits we receive from her,” Roque said. He wanted to show “Andean customs that persist over time.”
“It is my commitment to spread the Andean culture towards future generations,”
“Each work is a great challenge. And in this case it was a great experience, from finding the model and composing the scene, representing what I had in mind. The strength of the eyes and the look had to be the strong point of the work,” Roque said.
He tried to focus on the man’s deep gaze and expression, livening it in such a way that the character could connect straight with the viewer.
“What comes from the soul, comes to the soul,” he said.
For original artwork enquires, please contact here:
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