I feel absolutely honoured and ecstatic that I have made the semi finals of the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize.
This is the biggest prize in Art in Australia and to be selected is a dream come true.
I asked Maree Heron, my friend and over the years, my “children’s nanny”, to sit for the portrait.
My desire was to honour all the women (and partners) of men (and women) who go to war. They are the forgotten people who sacrifice so much. Often not knowing if they will speak to their loved one again.
Or, as in the case of Maree, the husband they said good-bye to, will be the same husband they welcome on the flip side.
The piece is abstract, uses the khaki of war yet I tried to capture the colour of the heart – pink.
I want it to be a tribute to all who have been involved in war, protecting Australia, in the past, currently and into the future.
Every day I am grateful for the freedom of speech, safety on our shores and it is because of the silent people who support those at war.
To win the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize would be a dream come true. I have submitted 2 entries in the past and would love to win.
It will highlight and help thank those mentioned above. It will help my dear little family (I have been a single mum raising three children solo for 13 years) and the sheer accolade.
My fingers, toes and hair are all crossed.
Finalists are announced 16th October 2019, Winner announced on 30th October.