Rusted tin transformed into prize-winning portraits

In Western Australia's Pilbara region, known for its mining history and rugged landscapes, 26-year-old artist Jenna Pickering finds an endless canvas. She transforms discarded materials like rusted tin and pieces of wood into meticulous oil paintings, often selecting the base to complement her subject. "Pop a bit of gesso on, and you can paint on anything," Pickering explained. She admits the challenging surfaces can be difficult, sometimes prompting her to question her choices mid-creation.

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Pop a bit of gesso on, and you can paint on anything.

Pickering is currently the artist-in-residence at Cossack, a historic ghost town located 1,600 kilometers north of Perth. Her goal during the month-long stay is to paint as many local faces as possible. She believes these found objects possess more character and offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional canvases. Her unique artistic approach, combined with her engaging personality, has garnered significant attention on social media, attracting over 100,000 followers.

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It absolutely makes it 10 times harder not having a flat object … sometimes I'm doing it, and I'm like 'why?'

Her momentum led her to leave her job as a community events coordinator three months ago to become a full-time artist. "I came to a point where I was like: an artist is a real job if I want it to be a real job," she stated. Pickering also achieved national prominence as a finalist in ABC's Portrait Artist of the Year and has won several prestigious art prizes. The self-taught artist's work is currently featured in the Cossack Art Awards, an event that has grown into the richest acquisitive art award in regional Australia, boasting a total prize pool of $97,000.

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I came to a point where I was like: an artist is a real job if I want it to be a real job.

The Cossack Art Awards, held within century-old stone buildings, began in 1993 and are a key component of the artist-in-residence program. Pickering, who won the Cossack award in 2023, highlighted its importance for regional artists. "How amazing is it as an artist out here to have our stuff in front of all these people from all over Australia and the world?" she said. The City of Karratha reported that over 80 artworks had been sold within three days of the awards opening, underscoring the region's status as a growing artistic hub.

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People froth for some reason at me doing exactly what I'm doing.