If you grew up in Como or Oyster Bay you will already know this legendary human. For those who don’t, meet Ted Cary – butcher / raconteur / community stalwart. A legitimate icon of the Sutherland Shire, Ted has been running his little Como butcher shop for more than 60 years – and still works there today. Drop in for some snags and it’s more than likely you’ll be treated to a story about the good old days – when the footy field was nothing but a bay, and the train station was located behind the Como pub. At 83 years old, Ted still works six days a week even hand-cuts all his steak to order. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face when Ted agreed to the portrait; his story, his attitude and his energy are inspiring and it’s a privilege to be able to put this out there for everyone to see.

These two portraits are being submitted in the 2017 Black Swan Prize for portraiture. Both portraits are on 56 x 72cm Stillman and Birn Zeta series art paper, using black Zig Millennium markers.