FINE ART REALISM
El Caballo Gringo
Ivan Loperena
Mexico
Typewriter close up
Tamas Mike
Hungary
Winter Hunting Party
Peter Stallard
USA
FINE ART FANTASY
The Great Transition
Spirit and Matter-
Mitya Ka
Ukraine
Portal Épico
Pablo Fernando Beck
Argentina
The Blossom Guardian
Oleksandra Korolenko
USA
AUTOMOTIVE
About Scandinavians
Donatas Valciukas
Lithuania
Sundanese Culture
Zay Santika
Indonesia
Red Devil
Valerie Vargas
USA
HOBBY/ MODEL
Wreckage on Eden
楊玉培 Yu-Pei Yang
Taiwan
Blazing Armor
Chanh-Hwa Choi
South Korea
1/24 Kia T-600: A 1970s
Korean Three-Wheeler
한영호 Yeong-Ho Han
South Korea
JUNIOR
Su-27 Cobra
Vicente Servetto Basterra
Argentina
HONORABLE MENTION
About
At Sparmax, we believe airbrushing is more than a technique. It is the art of creation. For decades, we have partnered with leading brands, artists, and innovators to deliver precision, performance, and inspiration to creators worldwide.
Since 2016, the Sparmax International Airbrush Competition has celebrated excellence in realism, fantasy, automotive, and hobby art. Now, we are taking it to the next level. In 2026, Iwata-Medea will join us as a co-host, bringing this global event to a broader stage. Selected artworks will be presented at the IWATA Annual Art Exhibition & Open House, honoring the creativity and passion of airbrush artists everywhere.
Over the years, we have received thousands of submissions from more than forty countries, each telling a story of imagination and mastery. This year, we invite you to take part and show the world what you can create.
The artists were judged anonymously,
with their names undisclosed to the judges for complete fairness.
The IWATA Gallery
One of the World’s Largest Collections of Airbrushed Art — Portland Open-House Exhibition
A rare, curated showcase of original airbrushed artwork—much of it never before accessible to the public. In January 2025, Iwata-Medea acquired the Ultimate Air Affair gallery, a remarkable collection formerly curated by ASET USA, LLC in West Valley City, Utah. With the addition of 360 unique pieces, Iwata-Medea now holds what is believed to be one of the most extensive and significant collections of original airbrush-painted art and objects in the world.
To celebrate this milestone, Iwata-Medea will open its doors to the public for the second time during The IWATA Gallery Open House. As part of the event, selected works from the Iwata × Sparmax 2026 International Airbrush Competition will also be showcased.
May 2026 — Date TBD
Iwata-Medea Headquarters
2730 NW 31st Ave., Portland, OR 97210
Admission is free. Visitors will have a rare opportunity to experience highlights from this expansive collection. The open house will coincide with the nearby NW Marine Art Works Open Studios Weekend, offering art lovers a vibrant, art-filled journey just blocks away at 2516 NW 29th Ave.
This exhibition not only celebrates the airbrush as a creative medium, but also honors the artists, collectors, and visionaries who have shaped the legacy of airbrushed art. Iwata-Medea extends its sincere gratitude to Bill Williams and Sherri Candland for their stewardship of the collection, and to Josh Baker, Kari Esper, Charlie Hutton and family, Armando Serrano, Satoru Iwata, Kenichi Osawa, Gary Glass, and many others who contributed to this historic transition.
A big thank you to our sponsors this year!
1st
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Cash $700*
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Iwata Voucher $100**
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Sparmax Voucher $100
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Media interview & Magazine subscription ***
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Competition Booklet
2nd
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Cash $150*
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Iwata Voucher $50
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Sparmax Voucher $50
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Competition Booklet
3rd
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Iwata Voucher $100
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Sparmax Voucher $100
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Competition Booklet
Junior
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Iwata Voucher $100
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Sparmax Voucher $100
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Competition Booklet
*Currency in USD
** Prize vouchers are subject to regional availability. Participants are responsible for any taxes, fees, or limitations related to redemption.
*** 1-Year Archive Subscription to AIRBRUSH STEP BY STEP Magazine (value: €52.90)
Meet The Judges
Sparmax Team
Sparmax sales and marketing team will cast one vote.
Terms and Conditions
• Upon submissions, all electronic artwork files become the property of Sparmax. Applicants understand and agree that the artwork may be published on Sparmax website and other forms of digital and print media.
• Applicants submitting to "automotive art, hobby/ model, fine art (fantasy), and fine art (realism)" categories must be over the age of 18 at the time of submission. Applicants submitting to "junior" category must be age 13-17 at the time of submission.
• The judge’s decision is final and binding in relation to all matters relating to competitions and may not be subject to any discussions or correspondence.
• If insufficient entries are received in any one category, that category may be subject to cancellation.
• Competition judges reserve the right to move entries from one category to another if deemed appropriate.
• All works must be your own. You can be inspired by other works, but plagiarism or copying of another person’s work is strictly prohibited. Any plagiarized work will automatically be disqualified from the competition and any subsequent legal ramification of the plagiarism are the sole responsibility of the submitter.
• Submitted works should not have been entered into any other competitions.
• Winners shall be solely responsible for compliance with their local/national tax regulations, as it may pertain to their winnings.
• Sparmax reserves the right in its absolute discretion to cancel competitions and/or the prizes where circumstances outside of Sparmax’s control arise.
• Submissions are made with the implied agreement with the above/stated conditions.