Giles Parkinson. Portrait by Ursula Theinert By Ursula Theinert
I’VE been entering The Archibald Prize since art college days, starting as an art practice exercise in 2005. I haven’t been successful in getting into The Archibald but have gotten into the Victorian Salon des Refuses or the Hidden Faces of The Archibald each year.
Now a special exhibition of portraits created by Gippsland artists who have entered past Archibald Prize exhibitions has been organised at the Rosedale Mechanics Hall. It is open on Saturdays and Sundays to coincide with and celebrate the touring Archibald Portrait Prize at the Sale Regional Gallery.
I've actually got six portraits in the Rosedale exhibition, mostly because I still have them! Giles Parkinson is the middle image in the exhibition poster. Also in the exhibition are my portraits of Rob Oakeshott, a self portrait, Deb Forster, Gerri Christie and Lenore Taylor.
I’VE been entering The Archibald Prize since art college days, starting as an art practice exercise in 2005. I haven’t been successful in getting into The Archibald but have gotten into the Victorian Salon des Refuses or the Hidden Faces of The Archibald each year.
Now a special exhibition of portraits created by Gippsland artists who have entered past Archibald Prize exhibitions has been organised at the Rosedale Mechanics Hall. It is open on Saturdays and Sundays to coincide with and celebrate the touring Archibald Portrait Prize at the Sale Regional Gallery.
I've actually got six portraits in the Rosedale exhibition, mostly because I still have them! Giles Parkinson is the middle image in the exhibition poster. Also in the exhibition are my portraits of Rob Oakeshott, a self portrait, Deb Forster, Gerri Christie and Lenore Taylor.
It was lovely to see them dusted off and displayed again. I did enjoy seeing my gorgeous talented sitters again. Isn’t life a hoot?
Through the Archibalds, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting some very interesting, talented and inspirational people. It’s fun getting to know them at their sittings and by corresponding with them and often coming together again at the openings of The Hidden Faces of The Archibald exhibitions.
Through the Archibalds, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting some very interesting, talented and inspirational people. It’s fun getting to know them at their sittings and by corresponding with them and often coming together again at the openings of The Hidden Faces of The Archibald exhibitions.
Ursula’s portrait of Giles Parkinson is the middle image in the exhibition poster In 2016 I painted Rob Oakeshott, the former Independent MP for Lyne in New South Wales. Rob was only 40 when he, along with Tony Windsor, made a brave choice and backed Julia Gillard’s Government.
I’ve have had some very high moments with Alan Kohler opening the Hidden Faces of The Archibald in 2011 at the Hilton Melbourne South Wharf. My portrait of Deborah Forster, the wonderful author of ‘The Book of Emmett’, was a finalist in the prestigious Portia Geach Exhibition in S.H. Irving Gallery in Sydney and my portrait of Gerrie Chriistie, who was the CEO of the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Victoria for many years, was a semi-finalist in the Doug Moran Portrait Prize.
It’s also given me an increased discipline in my art practice and mark making as painting a portrait brings different problem solving skills from landscape painting. I have definitely been enriched and my artistic skills improved by my portrait painting.
Indeed, attempting to capture the “essence” of the sitter is a challenge. It’s a great thrill when the sitter and their family at the “unveiling” feel that I have captured them.
Of course this prestigious portrait prize has about 1000 artists entering each year with only about 40 finalists chosen. The odds aren’t great, but ... maybe next year will be my year!
I’ve have had some very high moments with Alan Kohler opening the Hidden Faces of The Archibald in 2011 at the Hilton Melbourne South Wharf. My portrait of Deborah Forster, the wonderful author of ‘The Book of Emmett’, was a finalist in the prestigious Portia Geach Exhibition in S.H. Irving Gallery in Sydney and my portrait of Gerrie Chriistie, who was the CEO of the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Victoria for many years, was a semi-finalist in the Doug Moran Portrait Prize.
It’s also given me an increased discipline in my art practice and mark making as painting a portrait brings different problem solving skills from landscape painting. I have definitely been enriched and my artistic skills improved by my portrait painting.
Indeed, attempting to capture the “essence” of the sitter is a challenge. It’s a great thrill when the sitter and their family at the “unveiling” feel that I have captured them.
Of course this prestigious portrait prize has about 1000 artists entering each year with only about 40 finalists chosen. The odds aren’t great, but ... maybe next year will be my year!
Ursula Theinert and her portrait of "the honourable and independent Rob Oakeshottt".