Selected for the Women Artist Award 2026
The First Ascent by Debbie Moylan, a symbolic oil painting of a woman and white horse exploring trust, spiritual connection, and guidance. Selected for the Women Artist Award 2026.
I am honoured to share that my painting, The First Ascent, was selected for the Women Artist Award 2026.
The award celebrates the work of women artists from around the world and provides a platform for diverse creative voices and contemporary perspectives. To have my work recognised as part of this collection is both encouraging and deeply meaningful.
The First Ascent occupies an important place within my ongoing God's Rope series. The painting explores a moment of quiet recognition between a woman and a white horse, illuminated by soft light and surrounded by an atmosphere of stillness and possibility.
Throughout my life, animals have shaped the way I understand trust, connection, and belonging. Those experiences form the foundation of my creative practice. Rather than depicting animals as subjects to be observed, I paint them as active participants in a shared relationship, capable of offering guidance, comfort, and understanding.
The First Ascent reflects my belief that meaningful encounters with animals can become turning points in our lives. The horse represents both strength and gentleness, while the light within the painting suggests a moment of awakening, recognition, and spiritual guidance.
At the heart of the work is the idea that connection often exists beyond language. Some of the most important relationships we experience are built not through words, but through presence, trust, and shared understanding.
I am grateful to the Arts to Hearts Project for this recognition and honoured to have The First Ascent included among the selected works for the Women Artist Award 2026.
As I continue to develop the God's Rope series, this recognition serves as an encouragement to remain committed to the themes that matter most to me: compassion, connection, and the enduring bond between humans and animals.
The Woman Artist Award 2026 Certificate awarded to UK artist Debbie Moylan
