A TALENTED Oxfordshire artist’s painting has been shortlisted for a prestigious art prize once won by David Hockney.

Stephen Lee, who lives in Brailes on the Oxfordshire-Warwickshire border, is in the running for the John Moores Painting Prize 2020 at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool.

Mr Lee's shortlisted painting is called 'March', and draws from the sprawling landscapes of the Cotswolds which he frequents.

The paint and ash on canvas depicts a labourer and his dog surrounded by tools, with a picturesque view of the Cotswolds in the background.

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Mr Lee, a former fine art teacher in Oxford, said the combination of paint and ash creates a unique “burnished, stained and glazed” image.

The innovative painter was born in Cheltenham and attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, 1984-86 and Leeds Polytechnic 1980-1983.

His recent exhibitions include The Horizontal Within, The Horizontal Without, Angus-Hughes Gallery, London, 2017.

As a shortlisted artist, Mr Lee has already won £2,500.

However, if he goes on to win the first prize he will win another £25,000 and he’ll follow in the footsteps of previous winners such as David Hockney, Sir Peter Blake (junior prize) and Rose Wylie.

There are five shortlisted works which are among the 67 paintings to be exhibited in the John Moores Painting Prize 2020, at the Walker from February 12 to June 27.

A virtual tour is currently available on the Walker Art Gallery’s website.

The winning artist will be announced on March 4.

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