WHEN Donna Core sits down to create decoupage, her inspiration always changes.Whether it is from a magazine, a library book, or an art exhibition, an idea can pop up in her head at any time.The Bexley Public School teacher spends her free time fine-tuning her love of putting images together to create a single picture that could pass as a painting.Ms Core, of Banksia, has been entering the decoupage competition at the Royal Easter Show since 1999.In that time she has had two first places, a few seconds, a third and a highly commended.

This year she received her third first place for an intricate detailed Greek mythology-inspired box in the Victoriana class.

Ms Core applied layers of varnish on top of the cut-out images of Greek gods and maps of ancient Greece stuck down with glue to create a smooth finish.

“Decoupage should feel like glass if you have done it right,” Ms Core said.

“This project started out as an old wooden suitcase and now after sanding and imagery it is art.”

Ms Core said once anyone started decoupage they never looked at paper the same way again.

“It takes time to get the decoupage just right,” Ms Core said.

“This took me about a year to complete, so now I’m waiting on new inspiration to hit me so I can start working on my next piece for next year.”