LIFELIKE: Les Fishman with artist Geraldine Stills and the portrait she drew of him.
BENDIGO’S Les Fishman received a special gift recently – a portrait of himself.
Mr Fishman, who sells The Big Issue in Hargreaves Mall, was approached by local artist Geraldine Stills late last year.
“Les has a very interesting face,” Stills said. “He is also a local identity among the Bendigo community and very well-known.”
Mr Fishman said he was happy to oblige when Stills asked him if she could draw a portrait of him.
“I didn’t mind at all,” Mr Fishman said. “I was very happy (when she asked me).”
Stills said she took a photograph of Les and spent several months completing the artwork.
“I don’t like to rush things like this, so it took me around 20 to 30 hours to complete,” she said.
After recently retiring from a career in disability and age services, Stills said she rediscovered her passion for drawing.
“I currently belong to a small social group of artists,” she said. “We meet weekly under the guidance of well-known local artist and cartoonist Bill Beasley.”
The portrait of Mr Fishman will be exhibited at the Rotary Easter Art Show in the Bendigo Town Hall later this month. Mr Fishman said he would hang his copy of the portrait on his wall at home.
To view more of Stills’ artwork, visit geraldinestills.weebly.com
