30 × 30 inches | Oil on canvas | NFS | Completed December 2024.
I wanted to enter a portrait competition at least once and had a beautiful photo of Kelly that I wanted to paint. The competition required you to paint someone you admired and explain why.
Well, I admire Kelly enormously, but I felt a portrait alone wouldn’t tell the whole story. So I decided to fill the background with some of the moments, people and achievements that have shaped her life – her business, her books, her sport, her family and, of course, Ant.
This was the 100-word statement I submitted with the painting:
“I have enormous admiration and respect for my daughter, Kelly Exeter. This portrait’s background captures her many achievements – those of a businesswoman, author and two-time WA Triathlete of the Year who represented Australia and her birth country internationally. It also captures her deep love for her soulmate and the beautiful life they built together with their two children. When she lost the love of her life in 2019, Kelly faced that devastating loss and the years that followed with unwavering strength and devotion to her family. Her courage and grace inspire me.”
Sadly, I wasn’t selected as one of the 40 finalists, but I’m very glad I entered. The painting contains so many lovely memories that I will cherish it forever.
I’m not sure I’ll attempt another painting with quite this much in it, though. It took me FOREVER to finish!