David Darcy started painting only a few years ago and was a finalist in the 2018 Archibald Prize for his portrait of fellow Murrurundi artist Charlotte Drake-Brockman. Before picking up a paintbrush, David had a successful career in photography, publishing and film. Dogs have always been a passion and he is well known for his portraits and books on ‘mongrels’. He has nine bestselling books and in his words has “chased dogs all around the world.”
Now that he has taken up painting, he feels Murrurundi is the perfect place to have a studio and work in a community he is passionate about. “I do a lot of portraiture work of local people who live in the Upper Hunter. I’m intrigued by this place where I live and the characters that live up here.
There’s a real diversity of people and everyday I’m inspired. Someone might walk past the gallery or I’ll meet someone in the park and I have a sense of urgency to capture this.”
“There is a real sense of community and this is something I’ve never experienced before. People look out for one another and this is something I want to capture.”
For David, it’s not only the strong sense of community but the beauty of the landscape in the Upper Hunter.
“I can spend an afternoon cutting wood in the forest and drive down and think, wow, look where I am. Look where I’ve ended up. It’s such a beautiful place. Every afternoon I sit out the back of the studio and watch the mountains and the clouds roll over and I’m dumbfounded by the beauty and the scenery around here. It truly is a beautiful place.”
Drop in and see David in his studio: Darcy and the Fox, 37 Mayne Street Murrurundi.
