NOT many people would say they are thankful for a decision they made after a few wines at a Dirranbandi polocrosse event.
But Rosemary Carson, St George, is happy to admit it.
Ms Carson, who works at the Information Centre, is the latest person to complete an artwork in the Let’s Paint the Town project, aimed at sourcing local artists to paint vacant shop windows.
For a week, Ms Carson spent her afternoons painting a picture of galloping horses she had created on a small canvas onto a window along Henry Street.
No stranger to art, Ms Carson creates commissioned works of outback scenes but the large scale project was one she almost turned down.
“The local signwriter Wayne Farquhar asked would I do a painting on the window when I was at the Dirranbandi Polocrosse and it was of an evening after a few wines so I agreed,” she said.
“But the next day I was trying to find a way of wrangling my way out of it. I rang Tina Zohl (the organiser) with a big list of reasons as to why I couldn’t do it, including because of the short time frame.
“But she said, ‘It doesn’t matter, we have an extension to when it needs to be done’ so I thought, I’m just going to have to do it.
“I’ve never really liked painting in front of people but it’s good sometimes to get out of your comfort zone.”
The latest reveal comes after Jessica ‘Jekka’ Lloyd painted a mob of Brahmans.
Let’s Paint the Town is supported by the Regional Arts Development Fund, a partnership with Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and Balonne Shire Council.
Artist volunteer their time but are supplied with materials to complete the artworks.
Ms Carson said she had received a lot of positive feedback whilst painting her window and said it would be a feature of the town that she could suggest for travellers to visit.
“I work in the information centre with tourists and we get all the older generation come in and it gives them something else to look at and it does beautify the place and gives it a bit more sparkle,” she said.
Another three windows are ready to be painted. One will feature a winning colouring competition artwork.
Organiser Tina Zohl said the hot weather had slowed down their progress.
Lucy Kinbacher
Raised on a cattle property at Biggenden, Lucy Kinbacher has spent 10 years working across metropolitan, regional and rural publications in both Queensland and NSW. Lucy has been the editor of the Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register since 2021.
Raised on a cattle property at Biggenden, Lucy Kinbacher has spent 10 years working across metropolitan, regional and rural publications in both Queensland and NSW. Lucy has been the editor of the Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register since 2021.
