Feel good story

By Mietta Adams

ABC Pilbara

Art topic

July 23, 2026

Jenna Pickering makes portraits from old metal.

The Pilbara in Western Australia has many meanings to people.

To Jenna, it's a place to create art.

She says you can paint on anything with gesso.

Jenna uses old metal and wood for her paintings.

She painted a man on a piece of tin.

Jenna says it's harder to paint on old things, but it's worth it.

She wants to paint many local people during her stay.

Jenna likes using old objects because they have character.

Full-time artist

Jenna has many followers on social media.

Her studio is open to the public.

Jenna was a finalist in a big art competition.

She left her job to become a full-time artist.

Jenna says being an artist is a real job.

People like her art.

Jenna paints on things that match her subjects.

Old town becomes art hub

The artist-in-residence program is part of the Cossack Art Awards.

The awards started in 1993 and have grown big.

The Cossack Art Awards are unique and important for regional artists.

The awards have a big prize pool.

Jenna won an award in 2023 and says it helps artists.

Cossack has only one resident.

Jenna likes showing her art to many people.

Many artworks were sold in a few days.

The region is known for its art and culture.

Cossack was important for the pearling industry.

Jenna likes living in the Pilbara.

She says once you live there, you stay.

Jenny Butt won the overall Cossack Art Awards.

The exhibition is open until August 9.

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