Chrissie as 'Bijou"

"Chrissie, as 'Bijou'" 120x80cm, oil on linen 2014
This portrait is of my friend and colleague, Chrissie Shaw, dressed as Bijou-the real life character. Chrissie is an actress who wrote and directed her one woman performance “BIJOU A CABARET OF SECRETS AND SEDUCTION.” Chrissie has taken the show on tour around NSW.
I was inspired by my love for everything old: the architecture and fashion. As a painter I admire the old masters and the way they painted fabulous costumes that aren’t around today. Previously I had been thinking of painting Chrissie as herself, and so it seemed fitting for me to paint her as her character.

Painting Chrissie was wonderful; I’d say the best experience of making a portrait I have had. The process of painting her let me get to know her better and she was so full of interesting stories. Chrissie recounted many stories when I was drawing/painting her and she is enthralling. The best part though was that she started acting and singing as Bijou as I painted her. It was very entertaining and let me get a feel of not just Chrissie but of Bijou. It was great.
Chrissie has won many awards for acting and was also a finalist in the ACT Senior Australian of the Year in 2005. She is an inspiration to me.