Karla ‘always was and always will be’ a warrior and heroine. Her strength presents through impressive genealogy via Wiradjuri, Irish and German ancestry. Working from her studio at home in Lismore, Bundjalung Country. A prolific practitioner, impeccably dedicated to her signature style of creating. Karla and I ‘chew the fat’ on the machinations of the Strayan art establishment weekly. We both speak from the heART and often our banter transforms into a Roy & HG comic ramble … for one must ‘laugh or cry’.
Painting Karla for the Archibald Prize seemed a fluid necessity (no pun intended). Having been a finalist the previous four years, I’d honed a kitty of tactics and strategies. One of which was that I’d leave my subject pursuit as late as possible, a month out from the final delivery date. Method in madness it may seem, but I felt that I was dealing with a ‘freshness’ that prevented stagnancy. In executing the portrait itself, it was seven days on the nose. This prevented any unnecessary fluttering around the fluorescent lights in the studio and demanded an absolute focus of attention. There couldn’t have been a more metaphorically encouraging experience this time round, given the weather was decidedly inclement that week in Marrickville. Streams of water ran behind the canvas as I painted. I read this as a wholistic guidance from the universal matriarchs.
I work from photographs. My blakground is based on mural art, large-scale and my most treasured tool is an overhead projector. The photograph is printed on an A4 transparency and then projected. It’s not rocket science but the technicalities are tested when it comes down to texture, skin tones and eye colour, and facial definition. Tonality is achieved through the use of a variety of roundels ie plastic lids, champagne and wine corks, dipped in paint and then stamped out in layers. This piece was a breakaway from previously painted floating heads. However, there was no better canvas to enable the depiction of the severity of the flood water’s depth.
I remain tremendously honoured to have won this award and, as a self-taught painter from the backblocks of South Penrith, this reality stands as an indicator to other aspiring artists, particularly youth. I’m indebted to many I shan’t bullet point here but I shall draw focus toward the visionaries. I wouldn’t have persevered had I not observed glimpses of hope and encouragement. For that I say thank you.
