The 2016 Pirtek Still Life Prize was awarded last Friday at the Bowral and District Art Society (BDAS) gallery, chosen from more than 190 entries.

The $3000 first-prize was awarded to Myriam Kin-Yee from Kangaroo Valley for her painting 'The Gift Again'.

Judge Maryanne Wick said she chose the winning painting because when she first saw it, she thought "wow".

"It has a glow, and when you get close, its painterly quality, sincerity and beauty engages you," she said.

"From a distance it has great depth of colour and warmth, and within its composition, all the elements come together to create a strong painting with a quiet confidence."

Ms Wick said she spent five hours deliberating which paintings deserved prizes.

"This was one of the hardest judging's I've ever had to do," she said.

"But the three pieces [I chose to award] as soon as I saw them, I knew they were right, they just had something."

Highly commended awards were given to Lily Cummins "playful" piece 'You There, Glowing in the Dirt, Hill End' and Oliver Stokes Hughes for his "sophisticated work" 'The Guide'.

Ms Kin-Yee said she didn't expect to win.

"When I brought my work in, I saw the quality of the other works, they are so good," she said.

Ms Kin-Yee thanked the BDAS for the opportunity for all the artists to display their works at the gallery.

"This gives a certain gravitas to our painting," she said.

President of BDAS Maureen Varnavsky said each work deserved its place on the walls of the gallery.

"The calibre of the show is excellent," she said.

The Pirtek Still Life Prize paintings will be on display until July 31.

The BDAS gallery is located at 1 Short Street, Bowral and is open daily from 10.00am to 4.00pm.