Portrait painting was not something I intended to do.
It all came about through a chance encounter - or rather a series of loose connections that I allowed to inform my path. You see as someone who paints Australian plants I am often at the Botanical Gardens. One day when chatting to staff Dennis Fisher who did not know me asked what I do? “I paint natives” Oh he said “paint me” He is an Aboriginal Australian and I was mortified at my faux pax and retreated saying “Oh native plants! I don’t paint people.” And was duly embarrassed.
Anyway at that time my friend Mary mentioned an oil painting course coming up in Adelaide by a world renowned artist who as it happened use to play basket ball with her boys - and as an enthusiastic supporter of their basketball for years I ended up signing up for the course - knowing little about it other than it was in 6mths time.
When I turned up to the course to my surprise it was a portraiture course. As I painted the monotone underpainting. I could see Dennis’s face emerging from the page. I decided I was going to have to find him again and paint his portrait. I did.
And when I did I saw the shy pride, humility and joy of being immortalised in a portrait. I realised there is a power in portraiture. Also that the Aboriginal people of my country are not feted and honoured enough. And that began ‘Keys to our Country’ my first portrait series.
I painted a series of Aboriginal Australians who bring their culture into their work, thereby teaching us more about Aboriginal culture. They were sold to raise funds for Aboriginal Education. I mention how these portrait series were presented to show the way people love to engage with portraits and how they can be very powerful at creating conversations and engaging curiosity.
When I paint Australian Wildflowers I literally have a love experience with the intricacies and beauty of life. It happens too with a portrait - engaging with another form of amazing life. That is not to say that I fall in love with the person but the wonder of the spark of life that makes humans unique and marvellous.
I have also painted a series of women leaders Leading Women’s Profile, in response to finding that only 6% of CEO’s in the Australian Stock Exchanges top 200 companies were women. I wanted the portraits to create conversations about women and leadership and encourage all of us to find ways to help young women get to those positions. These were presented on International Women’s Day at Crown at the Women in Rotary Breakfast and then at Deloitte Melbourne where they were exhibited. Funds raised went to Bridge of Hope to support vulnerable youth coming out of child protection.
As I was painting the MD of Bendigo Adelaide Bank Marine Baker a staff member was lingering at the door watch us with a dreamy smile on her face. When I spoke to her in the break she said - ‘Oh I’m so proud”. You see when one woman is honoured - so to are all women honoured.
The portrait can be very powerful.
I have painted those who have died while I chat about them with their loved ones, leaders, children and always am honoured and touched by the experience. It really is humbling and unique. I’ve made this course so you can have that experience of connection too.