A pair of 91原创 artists have taken the top two spots in a Cross-Canada contest.

Deborah Strong and Alison Philpott won first and second place, respectively, in the Coloured Pencil Society of Canada鈥檚 first national exhibition.

Strong鈥檚 piece of a bird perched on a lichen-covered branch is titled Solitary Stellar鈥檚 Jay, while Philpott entered Pebbles 1, a detailed close-up of a collection of smooth stones.

鈥淚 was delighted simply  to have two of my drawings selected for the exhibition, but to have one of them take First Prize is amazing,鈥� said Strong, who owns Cat & Mouse Designs, and is a founding member of the annual 91原创 Artists Studio Tour, which is coming up in September.

Philpott is a studio tour participant and a current member of the Fort 91原创 Artists Group.

鈥淚t was very unexpected and really exciting to be placed second in this exhibit,鈥� she said.  鈥淚 always have one or two drawings on the go, and my favourite subject is pebbles. So to be acknowledged this way, for something I love to do, is a real honour.鈥�

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