Lovely interview with the Ranger Trader- Star News about my experience judging the Streeton, Roberts and McCubbin prize show at Sherbrooke Art Gallery.
The Girl in the Painting book launch
Our book was launched by Mayor Cheryl Cook on a chilly but sunny day in Corowa, where Tom Roberts did the research for his painting ‘Shearing the Rams’.
Author Dee White and I were thrilled to hold the launch in the amazing Federation Museum in Corowa. Such an interesting museum with a whole room dedicated to the making of the painting and Susie Bourne, the little girl who posed as the tar boy.
There was a great turnout and our bookseller Booktique sold nearly 80 books, which Dee and I signed.
Dee made a launch cake and I made sheep biscuits. This feast was augmented by the wonderful museum volunteers who provided a lovely morning tea.
It is fabulous to have this book out in the world at last!
I will have autographed copies available for law, as well as greetings cards with some of my favourite illustrations.
Judging of Streeton, Roberts and McCubbin Art exhibition
I had a lovely day judging the annual Streeton, Roberts and McCubbin art show at Sherbrooke Gallwey last weekend.
Some wonderful works! it was hard to choose the winners but I am very happy with the elections I made.
Congratulations to all the entrants and winners.
‘The girl in the painting’ in shops June 4th!
My latest children’s book, written by Dee White, is in all good bookshops from June 4th.
It tells the story of a Susie Bourne who modelled as the tar boy in Tom Roberts’ famous painting ‘Shearing the Rams’.
A shy girl, she toils away un-noticed on the family farm until Tom Roberts arrives and pays her and her sister to kick up dust for his paintings.
Set in 1890s Corowa, the painting is born amongst the shearer’s strike, massive societal change and the beginning of the Labour Party. Susie, as a girl, was not allowed in the shearing sheds. As the tar boy, she represents the changing face of Australia.
Dee’s prose is beautiful and evocative; it is a beautiful and educational book
The official book launch is in Corowa on June 7th. It will be opened by the mayor and both Dee and I will be doing book signings.
See you there!
Women Painting Women exhibition opening
Lovely afternoon at the opening of the Women Painting Women #4 exhibition at Burrinja in Upwey.
A selection of fabulous paintings by some of Australia’s best portrait painters are shown in beautiful bushland surroundings. I feel very privileged to show my work alongside these brilliant painters.
Featured artists:
Sarah Anthony (VIC)
Alanah Ellen Brand (VIC)
Dagmar Cyrulla (VIC)
Jaq Grantford (VIC)
Liz Gridley (VIC)
Amber Rose Hulme (VIC)
Emma Jennings (VIC)
Janne Kearney (VIC)
Vicki Sullivan (VIC)
Kathrin Longhurst (NSW)
Yvonne East (NSW)
Kelly Maree (NSW)
Desiree Crossing (WA)
The show is on until March 9th and there are activities during this time such as evening music and life painting demos. See the Burrinja website for details.
My work profiled in new book ‘About Face’
Beyond thrilled to be part of Amber Cresswell Bells’ new book on portraiture entitled ‘About Face’. Published by Thames and Hudson, it is available from all good bookshops and online. Signed copies are available from the author.
Kennedy Prize 2024 finalist
Happy that my painting ‘Love, Tolerance, Peace’ is off to Adelaide as part of this years Kennedy Prize. The theme is ‘Beauty’.
Artist Statement:
A photo of Jacinda Ardern hugging a Muslim woman in the aftermath of the Christchurch Mosque massacre radiated around the world in 2019.
Soaring above the street-art and graffiti-laden streets of multi-cultural, inner-city Brunswick, this painted Silo image beams a message of tolerance, love and peace. (Photo: Getty; silo art Loretta Lizzio)
Finalist in the Gallery One Smallacombe Portrait Prize
Happy that my self portrait is off to South Australia for the Gallery One Smallacombe Portrait Prize.
‘Self in favourite scarf’ was painted at a time of necessary, but painful change in my life. My ambivalence comes through I feel.
The show runs from Aug 31st to Sept 25th. Congratulations to the other finalists.
Finalist in the Lester Portrait Prize 2024
Delighted to be a third-time finalist in this prestigious portrait exhibition with my entry entitled ‘Conversations with my mother’.
Oil on canvas, 2024
Artists statement: ‘How well I know these old hands. We have the same hands and feet, my mum and I. But hers are gnarled and knobbled with arthritis and her skin is translucent over bluish veins.
It is like looking at myself in the future.
Twice a week we sit in her garden and talk over a cup of tea. I notice how often we unconsciously mirror each other’s gestures.
It strikes me that in our reciprocity that this is a portrait of the two of us, as we sit in conversation, the shadows of the past ever present’
My subject is my mother, with whom I am very close. My idea in painting her was not to simply portray her physical being, but to illuminate aspects of her, viewed through the lens of our relationship.
We see our loved ones through our unique perspective. The woman I know is not necessarily the person you would experience, should you meet her. As mother and daughter we inhabit a slightly different space to other relationships. We know each other so well that there is less need to observe the usual social rules. While we chat I find my eyes running over aspects of her person that are so familiar - her always wonky hair clip, the lines of her skull, her hands which are so like my own. I am conscious how often we mirror each other in pose and gesture.
As her daughter these hands are loaded with meaning, intimacy, and history.
The opening of the Gallipoli Art Prize 2024
Lovely to meet other artists and organisers of this year’s Gallipoli Art Prize in the Rocks, Sydney. Congratulations to the winner Luke Cornish!
Gallipoli Art Prize 2024
Delighted that my painting ‘The Jigsaw’ has been selected as a finalist in the Gallipoli Prize this year.
Artists statement:
This work depicts my mother Diana, 83, doing a jigsaw with my son, 11.
The images on the jigsaw pieces are the few photos that we have of Diana’s mother, brother and father Sgt. Phillip Brain, an RAF engineer who was killed aged 27 in WW2 (himself the son of a Gallipoli survivor).
Subsequent to his death, my mother’s life changed unimaginably - the toddler siblings were separated and did not reconnect until their late 70s.
As with those trying to complete a jigsaw, my mother has spent much of her life trying to piece together her life storyfrom scraps of information – faded photos, other people’s memories; trying to fill the giant hole left by the untimely death of a father.
War children carry the grief and the sense of responsibility to share the story. Three generations are present in the painting. I am the fourth absent but loud voice, trying to make visible the generational trauma of war.
The jigsaw is incomplete; can never be fully pieced together. But in many ways as Diana sits with her grandson Sam, talking about her father Phillip, there is a sense of closure.
Oil on board with collaged letter, 2024
Winner Judith Perrey Award for best oil/acrylic in show 2023
Delighted to win this award for my portrait entitled ‘A long day’, oil on canvas, at the MSWPS Changing Perspectives Show 2023. The prize money will be put to good use at my local art store!
Highly Commended prize
Very happy to have been awarded a Highly Commended certificate at the Smallacombe Portrait Prize 2023. It was a pleasure to visit this lovely gallery in person and see the show. The winner Bruce Whately’s self portrait was stunning. Thanks to the judges and staff at Gallery One!
Finalist in the Smallacombe Portrait Prize
Very happy to have two works heading to Adelaide in a couple of weeks to participate in two separate award shows. The Smallacombe Portrait Prize theme this year is ‘Self portraits’ and for this I have submitted ‘Self with imaginary tattoo #2’
Finalist in the Kennedy Prize 2023
Very happy to have two works heading to Adelaide in a couple of weeks to participate in two separate award shows. The Kennedy Prize theme is ‘Beauty’ and for this I have submitted ‘Sam breastfeeding his babies’
Artist statement: This portrait depicts Sam, aged 2 1/2, playing at breastfeeding his babies.
Here Sam is in a liminal space between uninhibited toddler roleplay and societal gender expectations that subsequently shaped his perception of how boys behave.
It was a time of beautiful self-confidence where Sam’s understanding of his identity and potential was without limits.
Finalist in the Gallipoli Art Prize 2023
Delighted to have my portrait ‘Frontline’ accepted for the 2023 Gallipoli Art Prize in Sydney. The prize theme is aligned with the clubs motto: ‘…..loyalty, respect, love of country, courage and comradeship which were personified by the heroes of the Gallipoli Campaign’.
My great grandfather Walter Cecil Brain fought in and survived the Gallipoli Campaign and so the theme is of personal poignancy to me.
My work depicts sisters Ange and Trish Kelly, who worked together as nurses in the Emergency Dept at Royal Melbourne Hospital during a surge in the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ange and Trish are shown having just removed the cumbersome PPE they wear to protect themselves and others at work. The resultant lines left by the masks are etched deeply into their cheeks and across the bridge of their noses.
Ange says ‘Covid has stripped me down’. She no longer bothers to fuss with grooming hair, fingernails, or makeup - sweaty PPE and constant sanitising render it pointless. Lunch breaks are functional rather than social; extra hours are spent in infection prevention. Often short staffed due to Covid-19 infections and isolation requirements, ED staff rely on teamwork of colleagues to meet extraordinary clinical demands and ensure the best outcome for patients.
The sisters talk warmly of the resilience, respect, courage and comradeship of their colleagues and how supported they feel amongst their team. In this context it felt important to paint both sisters together. In this painting they represent a homage to all those who toil selflessly and at great personal risk for the benefit of others.
Winner of the Baldock Family People’s Choice Prize
So thrilled to have been awarded the $15000 People’s Choice Award at the Lester Prize 2022. I feel very honoured that my painting resonated with so many people and received the most votes. Being part of the Lester Prize two years running has been a special experience. Thanks to all involved in running the exhibition and to the Baldock family who sponsor the award. Photo courtesy of The Lester Prize
Semi-finalist in the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize 2022
Very happy to have my painting ‘Frontline’ chosen as a semi-finalist for this excellent portrait prize. The painting depicts sisters Ange and Trish Kelly, both clinical nurses who worked together in the RMH Emergency dept during the Covid-19 crisis. I’ve portrayed them having just removed their hot and cumbersome PPE; the mask lines are deeply etched into their faces. These women and all frontline workers are absolute heroes and I’m glad that their faces and story are being seen by a wider audience.
‘Breathe’ in the ABC news
Interesting article about portraiture and judging of Portrait prizes in the ABC news on Friday. Lovely to see my portrait ‘Breathe’ as the fronting picture for the article.
https://amp.abc.net.au/article/101482046
