mmg.com.au

Heathcote painter Kath Carroll is entering her portrait of local identity Peter Russell-Clarke in this year’s prestigious Archibald Prize.

He was an easy subject choice for her.

‘‘He’s a great Australian character and that’s what I want to paint and capture. I think I’ve really caught his soul in there,’’ she said.

‘‘And Jan, his wife, said you’ve really got that cheeky grin and that glint in the eye and that larrikinism.’’

Carroll first met Russell-Clarke when she moved to Heathcote 10 years ago and started working in local restaurants.

He’s a big fan of her food and sang her praises in a recent column in the McIvor Times.

‘‘I do admire her generosity of spirit, as well as the many kindnesses she scatters among those whose path she crosses,’’ he wrote.

‘‘She’s eccentric. And those eccentrics among us are a breath of fresh air.’’

They have built a firm friendship and obviously relish battling opinions with each other.

Carroll enjoyed painting the maverick local — the process involved food, a few drinks and lots of conversation.

She was happy with the result.

‘‘I was really pleased with it,’’ she said.

‘‘He likes loose brush strokes, so I tried to paint it in a style that reflects him as well.’’

Carroll said the Archibald would be great for her career but she had just as much pleasure in the painting itself.

The Archibald Prize is awarded annually to the best portrait, ‘preferentially of some man or woman distinguished in art, letters, science or politics, painted by any artist resident in Australasia’.