Nathan
Peter Hudson
- Sitter: Nathan Shepherdson
- Medium: Oil on Linen
- Dimensions: 143cm x 122cm
- Representation: Mitchell Fine Art
About the artwork
Writer and poet Nathan Shepherdson is the author of seven books of poetry, and has won numerous prizes, including the Josephine Ulrick Poetry Prize, The Newcastle Poetry Prize and the Thomas Shapcott Poetry Prize.
This is in some senses a dual portrait, as it also references Nathan’s father Gordon Shepherson, the famous Australian artist.
“Via his parents, art is part of Nathan’s world. His deep love and knowledge of all the arts, including music have helped him evolve into the artist he’s become.”
Peter Hudson has positioned the poet on the right of the image looking at two small paintings by his father. “To honour both men, I’ve replicated two works by Nathan’s dad Gordon.”
As a creative practitioner Nathan owes much to the influence of his father, so this portrait becomes a homage to him. Nathan also holds a book and pencils in his hands, the tools of his trade. Wearing a favourite t-shirt this is a highly personal image that reveals his love of the arts.
Hudson says that even his portraits are landscapes, and that for the landscape painter there is no tougher painting to make than a portrait.
About the artist
Peter Hudson studied illustration and design at QCA Griffith University in the 1970s, and completed an apprenticeship in jewellery. He has worked full time as an artist and musician for the last 24 years. He mostly paints landscapes and often goes on plein-air painting trips throughout Australia. He regularly exhibits with Mitchell Fine Art in Brisbane. He has been an Archibald finalist, and his works are held in national and regional institutions and private collections.
