I decided this year to try my hand at entering the RACT Tasmania portraiture Prize, I chose local shop owner, skate boarding icon and personal friend of mine Jimmy McMacken. I was lucky to get short listed so I was 1 artist out of 34 artist to be chosen statewide .Heres my little write up I had to submit along with my entry, which might give you a little insight...
Me Mate Jimmy pays homage to friend and beloved local icon Jimmy McMacken. Jimmy has been a great supporter of not just my work but that of many local and upcoming artists, giving his time and business space to young, old, amateur, well-established or travelling artists. When I was fresh out of college he allowed me the opportunity to hold my first solo show. This opened many doors for me as an artist, inspiring me to come up with new and innovative ideas for upcoming group shows and allowing me to get to know other like-minded local artists.
Another reason I chose to paint Jimmy is that like many of my other characters his distinctive and sometimes scruffy exterior is softened by his visibly endearing and gentle nature. The challenge in painting his portrait was not to create a personality, as I would in many of my other works, but to capture the sparkle that was already there.
A nifty little ID badge that I was awarded so the public could talk to me about my art
aw, well done you clever little sidikins you! It looks great! And nothing beats a good name badge.
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