Talented Penola artist Anne Miller was recently awarded the Biblio Art Grand Prize at the prestigious Biblio Art Competition in Port Fairy.

The criteria for entrants was to read an Australian book and create an artwork inspired by it.

Ms Miller said her painting, titled The Watermen, was inspired by the book Wolfe Island by author Lucy Treloar, which Ms Miller said she found an intriguing story.

Her painting paid direct homage to Wolfe Island and the author liked the painting so much she expressed interest in buying it.

Artists all over Australia entered the exhibition, as well as people from the UK and America.

Ms Miller said she knew she was a finalist but the announcement of grand prize, which was sponsored by Blarney Books, came as quite a shock.

Ms Miller received $2000 and said she was amazed and stunned to have won.

“I really am very humbled to have won this,” she said. Her painting came to life on paper with ink and a little acrylic.

Ms Miller said the images in the painting were a specific memory that stood out for her from the book. The prize-winning painting remains with Blarney Books.

Ms Miller is an abstract artist who has collected artwork since her 20s.

She started painting around 30 years ago and is currently involved with the South East Art Society.

Ms Miller has her own art studio at home and said she enjoys art because it allows her to be calm and thoughtful.

“It’s just easy, it’s a nice place to be,” she said. “It’s fun and it’s something you can do with friends. There’s no right or wrong in art. “I’m one of many very talented local artists in Penola.”