By Jo Wiles
It is said there’s a Peter Hughes’ painting hanging in every second home in Gympie … as well as on the walls of Queensland’s Parliament House and that of a member of the British Royal Family.
At 86, Peter is an undisputed master of Australian bush painting bringing to life drovers, swaggies, bullocks and dusty plains dotted with grass trees, water tanks and windmills. Many of his works are inspired by country and western songs, poetry and bush balladeers.
Prolific and blessed with a limitless imagination, Peter still paints every day and teaches a few select students at the Tucker Street home he built 50 years ago for his darling wife, Flo.
Now, a bigger audience is about to experience this modest maestro in action, because on Sunday November 7 he will be taking centre stage at Kin Kin’s inaugural Art Fair at the School of the Arts on Main Street.
From 8am until 4pm – with a few stops for refreshment – Peter will join other painters, jewellers, mosaic artists and wood carvers to demonstrate his extraordinary skill with oil, brush, palette knife and even fingers! Several of his larger canvases will be on show – and for sale – with prices starting at $95 and rising into the thousands.
In recent years, Peter’s paintings have found their way around Australia and the globe. One, Hills of Home, hangs in Parliament House, Brisbane, and another is owned by a member of the Royal Family. (Peter’s lips are sealed as to who, however, he finds it gratifying that his work has broad appeal).
“It’s a major inspiration for me to see the pleasure my work gives to people from all walks of life,” he says. “And, a great incentive to keep doing the work I love.”
For some country hospitality, delicious morning and afternoon teas and a rare opportunity to watch special artists like Peter in action don’t miss the Kin Kin Art Fair on Sunday November 7. And visit the Kin Kin Market while you are there.
