Finalist, Hurford Hardwood Portrait Prize

Honoured and very happy. My work, "Publisher Helen Chamberlin" was selected as a finalist in the 2020 Hurford Hardwood Portrait Prize. Biennial, included in prominent portraitists. $10,000 for a winner, open to Australia wide, acquisitive in Lismore Regional Gallery. The judge, the artist Abdul Abdullah. The exhibition from 7 Nov 2020 to 31 Jan 2021. I still can’t believe it. Helen has only encouraged me and let me draw her freely for ages. Oh, thank you for Helen, supporters and you, all the friends. 

Friends and I had a chat over the reluctance of try such as competitions yesterday. I prefer a "try" to only being awkwardly awaiting. Eventually it'll waste my time. Of course, I have and had hesitancy and fear. I look back my life story. When was at the turning point of my life to chose art or not, I told myself "Only once we can live on the earth. Do what I want to do!" I was fortunate that many people gave me support. When I put the work into prizes, to my surprise, it got in them. Particularly, a psychology lecturer at uni said, "You got the prizes. What's more do you need to prove your talents? Sadami, go this direction, arts!" If I get in prizes, I was lucky. Celebrate it. If I do not get in, I was myself, precious. Celebrate it. Both results are good to me! 
Friends, a sky is wide and blue. Let's go in every direction in our lives. Happy Painting!