Artist eyes award - Bendigo `black sheep' is Archibald Prize finalist

The first-time entrant was among 41 short-listed from 1700 this year and the second from Bendigo to make the final cut in three years.

His 1.8 by 1.2 metre self portrait, Black Sheep, is literally his body with the head of a black sheep.

"I thought it was a concept that was a little bit out there, what I think they'd look for," Mr Crothers said.

"I thought it would appeal to everyone in the sense that everyone has either a family member or they identify themselves as being a bit of a black sheep, be it career choice or behaviour or even just thinking differently.

"It's not just about me, other people can relate as well.

"I did it as a study first, just in my spare time as a bit of fun but then I thought... that's an interesting idea."

His choice to become an artist was what made him the black sheep of his family.

"I'm an artist in the context of a family in which every other member has made good economic decisions in regards to careers and finances," he said.

"In a world that's winding up, to make a decision to step out of that to a degree and to work at a craft that's largely ignored nowadays, I think is a big move.

"When I got married my father said to my wife, 'well, he's your problem now' - and he was serious."

Mr Crothers said people entered the Archibald Prize either with a celebrity, making the painter almost secondary to that, or with a strong artistic idea that got them in through their own merit.

"And that's what I was interested in," he said.

"It's really more about making a strong artistic statement rather than being just about celebrity."

Bendigo's Terry Hunter entered a nude self-portrait and was named a finalist in 2005.

"I think it shows there's a shrinking gap between artists in the city and artists in the country," Mr Crothers said.

"We're as up to speed with what's happening in the art world and therefore we can make just as much of a significant contribution as those people living in the city.

"The only real restriction we have is getting our work to the cities.

"I think Bendigo is developing culturally and that's something quite significant."

The Archibald Prize winner will be announced on Friday, March 2.