Alastair at the Loop Growers Barn
Carla Petrie
- Sitter: Alastair McLeod
- Medium: Acrylic on Linen
- Dimensions: 115cm x 77cm
- Representation: This artist represents themselves
About the artwork and sitter
Alastair McLeod is a celebrity chef and TV personality, born in Belfast, classically trained in Europe, who has chosen Brisbane, as his home.
Carla was captivated by his charismatic personality, and his knack for connecting with the community through his culinary craft.
She shows him as a warm, larger than life, enthusiastic personality, sharing his love for Queensland’s local produce.
‘He is the epitome of fun and unbridled action, but also, and inspiring professional, a warm and sweet family man with a true interest in connecting with others.
In her portrait, Carla captures Alastair’s beaming eyes and open smile, symbolising his readiness to warmly welcome everyone into his world.
About the artist
Carla Petrie is an artist and graphic illustrator who began her career at the Fine Arts School of Lima, Peru. An avid participant in group shows, Carla’s work has been featured in a number of group exhibitions.
Recently, Carla has been focused on rediscovering her artistic roots and honing her creative expression. She showcased her work at the 2021 Brisbane Portrait Prize as part of the Salon de Refuses exhibition.
“Drawing the subject a few times before settling allows me to have a conversation with my subject and get familiar with their soul, proportions, and quirks."
Behind the scenes
I have a very organic process where I draw the likeness of the sitter while trying to find the best composition. Drawing the subject a few times before settling allows me to have conversation with my subject and get familiar with their soul, their proportions, and quirks. I am trying to develop a practice where beautiful composition becomes a natural part of the process.
I have painted Alastair in his chef’s whites and classic tea towel in tow. I have seen him in this same pose many times addressing guests to become a key ingredient in the joy of the gatherings of many Queensland families and organisations.
In the background is the loop growers barn, which is also a place of gathering of community around food, but from it’s source. A deeper connotation is the open barn door which represents the conduit that is Alastair and the business collaboration that he fosters between the local growers and the wider community.
