FORMER local artist Elisha McGuckin has been named as a The Jury Art Prize 2023 finalist, with the award showcasing Western Australian regional art. 
Ms McGuckin’s artwork, "The Metro Hotel On The Highway To Hell", will compete for the $10,000 first prize in the people’s choice section. 
Ms McGuckin said being named as a finalist is “delightful”. 
“Anytime I am selected as a finalist in an art prize, to be recognised in your field, is an absolute honour,” she said. 
“I don't expect to win, nor be awarded for the other categories. It's an incredibly talented pool of artists.”
Ms McGuckin’s artwork is acrylic on stretched canvas and follows her art style of traditional pop art influence.
“I paint with my eyes - there is no gridding, not even a drawing to work with, and I generally paint my pop art still-life paintings with the subject sitting in front of me,” she said.
Ms McGuckin said she considers painting a necessity. 
“Artists need to make art, it's a way of communicating and processing,” she said. 
Ms McGuckin has also been a major supporter of the Collie Art Prize, having entered her work into each contest. 
“It is my way of supporting the community I grew up in,” she said. 
“I was fortunate enough to be selected as a finalist in 2020, just before Covid-19 shut down the gallery.”
While she waits for The Jury Art Prize winners announcement in July, Ms McGuckin said she has plenty of work to keep her busy. 
“I have commissioned paintings on the go and am always busy painting,” she said. 
“I have also been handwriting invitations to my upcoming solo exhibition that kicks off in June, and that has been around 10 months of work.”