Westbury residents Jon and Judy Nelson are excited to pick up their paintbrushes and work 14 hours a day.
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It may sounds odd, but the artistic couple thrives on the atmosphere and opportunity to meet people as part of the International Mural Fest.
The Nelsons were announced as finalists of the International Mural Fest 2018 alongside other Tasmanians and people from across the world.
It’s the second year the former teachers will create a mural on a four-and-a-half metre by two-and-a-half metre board in a week.
They have a bit of practice outside the Sheffield event.
The Nelsons live in a 1828-built former military barracks, which Judy has used to form the canvas for a historic mural.
She hoped to use her artistry to showcase Australian history while conserving the historic building.
Jon recommended good stamina for anyone planning to take on the task. Last time, they worked 14 hours a day, using night lights when it was difficult to see.
“You don’t do it for the money, you do it for the fun of it,” he said.
Entering its 16th year, more than 20 people submitted work into the unique festival with only nine becoming finalists using the theme ‘Our Wonderful World’.
The solo finalists are Crystal Barbre, of the US, Damian Cazaly, of Victoria, Gren Freeman, of Queensland, Annette Matthews, of Tasmania, and Emily Smith, of Tasmania.
Collaborative finalist duos include Gwendal Larher, of France, Jack Buzelin, of Tasmania, Fereleth Lee, of Tasmania, and Jacqueline La Cava, of NSW, the Nelsons, and Frances Rowland Wregg, of Queensland, and Suzanne Burger, of Western Australia.
International Mural Fest event team committee president Des Brown said the judging was quite unique as none of the independent judges met until the day of the
“There’s no competition like it in the world,” Mr Brown said.
The total prize money was $41,000, just over half of the $80,000 festival budget.
About 33 per cent of this year’s entrants were from overseas, he said.
Mr Brown thanked the incredible group of volunteers who worked hard to create the event, who had been running it for the past six years.