Using his passion for the IIllawarra landscape as inspiration, the 66-year-old Kiama resident has been a finalist in the prize each of the five times he has entered.

His painting Old Rockpool by Flagstaff Point Wollongong was among 317 entries (by 200 artists) this year and will be pitted against the work of 41 other finalists for the $20,000 prize.  The winner will be announced at the Parliament on Wednesday.

Hull has been an artist for 35-40 years and was a painting, drawing and art history teacher at Wollongong West TAFE, for 28 years. 

Hull said the Illawarra landscape had been a muse of his since moving from Sydney to Thirroul in 1980. He moved from England in 1979 to be with his Australian wife Denise.

He said he was enjoying developing his art further during his retirement.

‘‘My main focus is water colour and oil painting,’’ he said ‘‘And my main subject matter is landscape - definitely since the mid-1990s

‘‘And with my landscapes have been focused on the Illawarra. I think we live on one of the most beautiful areas in Australia and trying to depict it and capture aspects of its beauty has been a constant theme of mine.

Hull’s 2015 Plein Air entry may be of a rockpool further north but his subjects have included pools closer to home.

‘‘Rockpools have also become a bit of a focus of mine - the possibility in them as a subject is tremendous. You can focus on them differently in painting, than you can in a photo. You can give them a different treatment in paint.’’    

Throughout his career Hull has received 26 prizes. Highlights include: semi-finalist in the Doug Moran portrait prize; two-time winner in the Waverly Art Prize for works on paper; winner of the Art Visions Prize and John Copes Prize.

Hull said he was hoping for a good result today but said, regardless, his finalist’s placing was good for his profile.

‘‘Prizes are a chance to enhance your profile and get noticed and, if you win, it helps subside your art.

Like most artists, performance and the like,  painters need recognition to bolster their self-esteem and give you confidence to carry on.

Plein Air, (French for in the open air) painting was first popularised by artists including Monet and Renoir before being embraced in Australia by artists including Tom Roberts and Arthur Streeton. 

Speaker of the Legislative Assembly South Coast MP Shelley Hancock encouraged the public to go along and see the best from Australian exponents of the artform.

“Plein air painting may not be one of the best known traditions,” she said. “But it has a rich and colourful history in Australia and we encourage everyone to come along and see what today’s artists are creating out there in the elements.”

Hull’s work will be on display at Parliament House until Friday 31 July. Entry is free, and doors are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 50pm. There will also be a Salons des Refuses on display in the Parliament’s Theatrette Foyer.

For more information, please visit www.pleinair.com.au