Organised by the Glenlyon Progress Association, Wendy McKillop said Paint Glenlyon was a community initiative and about encouraging people to express themselves while getting outdoors and enjoying the fresh air and scenery.

Entries are open to artists of all abilities, including children. Artist Jenny Chester has a background in graphic design and recently re-discovered a love for painting.

"I hadn't drawn or painted for many years because when you do it for a job it ceases to be fun," she said. "I can paint what I like in any way, style and medium I like now that I am not handicapped by a certain brief." 

She said Glenlyon had plenty of inspiring sites and objects to paint.

"Usually I pull up the blinds and there is something to paint outside. The other day there were two cockatoos sitting in our fruit trees. All day long there are rosellas in the yard or a wandering wallaby. We have even had an echidna who holidayed here. You just walk outside and the inspiration is there," she said.

She said the Glenlyon landscape was inspiring as it was both Australian bush, but the main street was European-inspired, with surrounding areas abundant with scenery like rolling hills, hay bales, vineyards and animals.

"As the seasons change, the atmosphere and scenery changes. We have four distinct seasons - the beautiful autumn colours, the fogginess and bare trees in winter, profusion and flowers in spring and summer is sometimes dry."

Ms Chester said she found painting relaxing and absorbing.

"You don't think of other things while you're painting. Everyone has a different opinion on what art is but it's really just about expressing yourself. If you like it and it makes you happy, then that's fine," she said.

"You don't need a studio or fancy equipment to paint, you just need to enjoy it."

There are a number of prizes up for grabs. Entries close on April 1. The Paint Glenlyon Art Show will take place from 10am until 4pm from April 13 to 22 at Glenlyon Shire Hall.