Oil on canvas, stretched and ready to hang.

Signed on the front.

This work will be on display at the Bluethumb Gallery in Richmond, Melbourne for the 2023 Bluethumb Art Prize Finalists Exhibition from October 11th to November 27th. Delivery of this work will take place following the 2023 Bluethumb Art Prize Awards Night on October 26th.

A portrait of fellow artist Russell Austin in his studio surrounded by the objects that he loves and finds inspiring. He is very comfortable in his favourite chair and ready to begin painting. The sun lights up his studio space. Russell is colourful and charismatic, he is well known for his surrealist paintings, as well as teaching art and commercial mural painting. I wanted to paint Russell to allow the viewer a glimpse into the artist's studio and his world. Russell was working on some commissions at the time, and I have included them in this portrait. There is no better place for an artist than their studio, it is a place where creativity takes place, and the rest of the world doesn't exist. The painting is colourful and the feeling of light filtering through the window makes the painting bright and uplifting. I was able to capture fine details and broad colourful areas using oil paint because it is so versatile to paint with, it allows me to capture the various textures that are found throughout the room. The overall feeling of the painting is contentment and joy in doing what you love.