THE SWEET LIFE: Orange artist John Williams has painted former MasterChef winner Kate Bracks for this year’s Archibald Prize. Photo: STEVE GOSCH 0225sgarch1
ARTIST John Williams has been inspired by the success of Orange cook Kate Bracks, capturing her on canvas as his entry in the 2013 Archibald Prize.
Mr Williams has portrayed Mrs Bracks with her feet up and holding a chocolate-inspired dessert, hence the name of the painting The Sweet Life.
“She whipped it up in about 15 seconds,” Mr Williams said.
Mr Williams is hoping the former MasterChef winner’s passion for food will be his entree into being shortlisted for the prestigious art prize.
This is his 16th Archibald Prize entry with previous portraits including paintings of the performer Caroline O’Connor and rugby legend John Thornett.
A garage converted into a studio is where Mr Williams creates his artwork and where Mrs Bracks paid a visit to view the painting that will hang in her home after the competition is concluded.
“I have told Kate I would really like her to have it,” Mr Williams said.
Mrs Bracks was impressed with the painting but laughed when Mr Williams spotted a small scar above her eye.
“It’s not on the painting but I can add it on,” he told Mrs Bracks.
Mrs Bracks said the scar was the result of a pencil case thrown at her head by an errant student when she was a child. A pair of scissors in the pencil case connected with her forehead.
Mrs Bracks laughed and said she was happy for it to be left off the painting.
Unlike other artists who enter the Archibald Prize, Mr Williams doesn’t want to pack up his painting for shipping.
“I would much prefer to drive it down there myself,” he said.
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