Uncle Jack

This portrait of Uncle Jack Charles won the People's Choice award at the Lindenow Art Show in May 2025.

I drew this portrait of Uncle Jack Charles with graphite pencils and charcoal on a stretched canvas. The graphite powder is blended with a small makeup brush to create the different tones, whereas a black charcoal pencil brings a strong contrast. I also used a fine point eraser to define the highlights in the eyebrows and the eyes.

Jack Charles was such a famous and familiar character that we could easily believe he was everyone’s uncle.
His remarkable life is a great show of resilience with more highs and lows than anyone would experience in a lifetime
Born into the Stolen Generations, Jack endured the systemic trauma of foster care, homelessness, incarceration, abuse, battling addiction and facing the harsh realities of segregation.
Yet, from these struggles emerged a voice of unparalleled power and grace. Embracing the arts, Jack transformed his experiences into compelling performances on stage and screen, becoming a beloved actor and author. He was a beacon of truth, shedding light on the injustices faced by Aboriginal people, his activism intertwining with his artistic expression.
A troubled man and an enduring elder, Uncle Jack's legacy, celebrated with a state memorial, reminds us that even from the deepest valleys, one can rise to inspire, to heal, and to forever carve a place in the nation’s heart.

Follow

Hi,

Thank you for dropping by...
My name is Cecile Michel and I am a pencil artist living in Paynesville, Australia.
I draw with graphite pencils and charcoal on stretched canvas to create strong contrasts and subtle shadows.
I love using the black and white theme to reinforce a sense of fun memories (like black and white photographs) but occasionally will throw in a few limited pieces containing colour... Just to keep thinks surprising and unexpected.
When I drew my first “Nostalgia” piece, I couldn’t stop smiling as I remembered the endless hours spent playing games with my cousin in our little village in the East of France; I wanted to share this feeling with you and hopefully you will find that object which is part of YOUR happy memories.