Ultimate Painting is a competition in which 12 painters have 20 minutes to paint their magnum opus.
Six different painters are featured in the first two rounds and the two winners from those rounds battle for the title in the final round.
Originating in Toronto, Canada in 2009, the contest traveled to The Loft, 414 East Michigan Ave. in Lansing, on Saturday.
Lansing Community College student Dustin Walker, who took part in an Ultimate Painting event at Common Ground Music Festival this past summer, was one of the artistic competitors. He said he felt more prepared this time around.
“During the last competition, I didn’t know what to expect and I was pretty nervous about painting in front of a group,” Walker said.
“Thankfully, due to my experience last time, I’ll be going into it much more prepared and will be making some changes to my approach as far as the painting is concerned,” he said.
Walker made it to the final round and placed fourth overall.
MSU alumus Alexander Cyr took part in the first round.
“The first round was a lot of fun. I was a little nervous going into it, but then as soon as I got into it, it started to just flow,” he said.
Cyr aspires to design video games or get a job in interactive design.
Okemos resident Bradon Badeau said he was looking forward to participating in the event.
“I’m not too nervous about it,” Badeau said. “I’m willing to do anything that brings attention to the arts, I really want the community here to have more appreciation for arts.”
Badeau would like to be a famous artist, or at least an instructor. Ultimately, he wants to make art more accessible to people.
For Okemos resident Vivian Dwyer, who placed first overall, it was her first time competing. Her goal as an artist is simple: to keep painting.
“I just painted my whole life and keep painting. There’s no retirement,” she said.“It’s like if I live to 100, I paint till 100.”
Dwyer believes the greater Lansing community fosters and supports art.
“(Lansing artists) have a lot of talent. I know a lot of artists, so it’s funny I didn’t know anyone here tonight,” she said.
Ba deau said there has been a recent push to promote art in the community.
“I think there’s an effort, but we need more things — things that are fun and enjoyable,” he said.
