After nearly 50 years as his private artistic muse, Denis O'Connor's wife is about to be seen by the nation.
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The portrait he painted of her over months last year has become one of 40 chosen to hang on the walls of the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra, as part of the inaugural Darling Portrait Prize.
"She's been a model for me since we've been together, she's my study muse," Dr O'Connor said.
"This was a series of works I was doing at the time, I didn't run out to do something for the Darling Prize, but it came up very nicely, and I thought it was worthy. Fortunately, so did the judges.
"My wife is thrilled about it, more than I am. She thinks it's a fantastic achievement. I have two daughters as well, and they've always been my subjects, so to have one [family member] in the national gallery is great."
Having begun his painting and drawing career at 17, the now-67-year-old has spent the past half-century at the easel.
But this is his largest exhibition yet, after other state-based portrait prizes failed to attract his eye.
"The Archibald - which is for NSW painters - stipulates the portrait must be of a person of note, I've never entered because I don't chase after famous people," Dr O'Connor said.
"This one is about the portrait, not the person, although it is an important person to me."
Dr O'Connor will be informed on whether his bid for the $75,000 top prize is successful, the day before the exhibition opens on March 6.
"It's just nice to be hung in the National Portrait Gallery, and be in the final cull," he said.
"I didn't think I'd make it this far."