Fingers crossed – Liesel Arden’s entry to the Archibald Prize was submitted last week, and it is a portrait of Tommy Franklin.
Liesel says, ‘I met Tommy through an event about a year ago and, like most people, was struck by his energy and ability to radiate positivity. At the time I was a struggling emerging painter swimming in a cold dark pool of artist’s block. I knew what I wanted and I also understood my capacity to achieve it but somehow I felt as though I didn’t deserve success in my painting.
‘This portrait is my best work yet and has taken me places I never thought I would go’.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
