Artist Steve honoured with new prize

A NEW art prize has been created in memory of Bladnoch man Steve Dowling.

Booksellers Lou and Bre Martin have launched the prize to honour their ‘great friend’ who passed away at the end of 2025.

He was a well known figure throughout the Machars, often spotted painting out the back of his Citroen Berlingo van.

Lou said: “We really wanted to do something to honour him, he was a real local figure and a great friend.

“We’d often see him painting on his easel out the back of his van in all weather painting townscapes and landscapes.”

The inaugural competition is open to amateur artists of any age using any medium from painting to sculpture and digital art, with a theme of townscapes.

Lou added: “Steve was very talented and as his health began to deteriorate so did his eyesight, so towards the end his work became more impressionist.

“We wanted the prize to be for amateurs because Steve always encouraged people to pick up a paintbrush, he didn’t believe it when people said that they couldn’t paint or draw.

“So we deliberately kept the theme open so it can be anything to do with townscapes, but we won’t accept anything made using AI.

“Good luck and let’s make Steve proud!”

The judging panel is made up of Steve’s son Will, Steve’s sister Lucy, local artist Julie Ridola and Bre Martin.

All entries can be submitted via email to [email protected] by Friday April 17 including a short explanation of the work and details of the artist.

The winner will be announced by the Wigtown Spring Festival in May.