Vicki Sullivan, Portrait Artist, Australia

Portrait Artist Vicki Sullivan, Australian Portraits & Archibald openings.

9/22/2026 3:40:13 PM
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The Opening of the Archibald Prize at SAM in Sheppharton  on 3rd September 2026 was wonderful.
What an amazing Art Museum space the new building is.
I had a great time with my fellow Archibald finalists who made it to the opening and managed to get a few photos of the night.
So much of my life as a Portrait Artist is spent alone in my studio and these events and Exhibition openings are a highlight of the job and a way to celebrate all the work that goes on behind the scenes.
 

Vicki Sullivan

Peace actually

Oil on linen

 

My subject is journalist Jan Fran, whose 20-year career has spanned television, documentary, podcasts and comedy. In 2025, she and Antoinette Lattouf co-founded ETTE Media, which aims to get to the real story at a time when misinformation is rife.

 

‘I often listen to podcasts while I paint, &  I came across the We used to be journos podcast, which really struck a chord. Reaching out to Jan, we agreed to meet when she next came to Melbourne.

 

‘We went for a walk in the gardens so we could get to know each other while I took some reference photos. As we discussed the troubling state of the world, Jan flashed a peace sign.

 

‘Initially, I envisaged a garden background, but realising something more was needed, I drew an arch around her head and applied gold leaf, which transformed the painting into a kind of icon.

 

‘The gold leaf reflects anyone passing by, so in a subtle way the viewer becomes part of the painting. This sense of iconography is also a nod to the old masters and my formal training in Italy. For me, the painting represents a hope for peace in the world.’

 

Jan Fran is one of Australia’s most versatile journalists and creators, bridging both traditional and social media.

A Walkley Award–winner, her 20-year media career spans television, documentary, podcasts and comedy. She has hosted the ABC’s Question Everything, as well as Channel 10’s The Project and SBS’s The Feed.

She is also a social commentator, widely known for her sharp video commentary and interviews on social media, which attract millions of views.

Alongside her friend Antoinette Lattouf, Jan co-founded ETTE Media—an independent Australian media company built for a new era, equipping audiences with the tools to question, decode and challenge the noise at a time when misinformation is rife, algorithms distort reality, and trust in mainstream media has never been lower.

While listening to podcasts in the studio, I discovered We Used to Be Journos, hosted by Jan Fran and Antoinette Lattouf. It was then I decided to ask Jan to be my subject for the 2026 Archibald Prize. I admire her championing of free speech and human rights.

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Archibald Prize 2026

7/13/2026 2:45:11 PM
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Photo.Australian Portrait Artist Vicki Sullivan's painting of Jan Fran, titled "Peace Actually"

It has been an absolute privilege to be selected as a finalist in the 2026 Archibald Prize. It is the highlight of my career as an Australian portrait artist to be included among the finalists in our nation's most prestigious portrait prize at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

My portrait subject, Jan Fran, is one of Australia's most versatile journalists and content creators, seamlessly bridging traditional and social media.

A Walkley Award winner, Jan's 20-year media career spans television, documentaries, podcasts and comedy. She has hosted the ABC's Question Everything, as well as Channel 10's The Project and SBS's The Feed.

She is also a respected social commentator, widely recognised for her incisive video commentary and interviews on social media, where her work attracts millions of views.

Alongside her friend Antoinette Lattouf, Jan co-founded ETTE Media—an independent Australian media company created for a new era. ETTE equips audiences with the tools to question, decode and challenge the constant stream of information at a time when misinformation is widespread, algorithms shape our realities, and trust in mainstream media has never been lower.

While listening to podcasts in my studio, I discovered We Used to Be Journos, hosted by Jan Fran and Antoinette Lattouf. It was then that I decided to ask Jan to sit for my 2026 Archibald Prize portrait. I greatly admire her commitment to free speech, critical thinking and human rights.

Being part of the Archibald exhibition has been an unforgettable experience. Meeting fellow finalists, reconnecting with artists and taking part in the exhibition's celebrations has been a genuine joy. It is an honour to have my portrait hanging alongside so many outstanding works in this year's Archibald Prize.

Vicki Sullivan {left} With the Director of the AGNSW Maud Page and fellow artist Bettina Fauval-Ogden beside our Archibald Paintings

 

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Painting in the State Library of NSW Collection

5/21/2026 3:08:01 PM by Vicki Sullivan, Australian Portrait artist
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The Stolen Songlines of Miss Roselands 2 Year Old

A Portrait of Memory, Loss and Cultural Resilience

There are some paintings that become far more significant than you could ever imagine when you first begin them.

My portrait, The Stolen Songlines of Miss Roselands 2 Year Old, is one of those works.

I was deeply honoured to learn that this painting has been acquired for the permanent collection of the State Library of New South Wales as part of the Library’s 200th anniversary celebrations. To have this work preserved in one of Australia’s most important cultural institutions is an extraordinary privilege, and one of the most meaningful moments of my career.

Meeting Deborah Cheetham-Fraillon AO

The portrait depicts Deborah Cheetham-Fraillon AO, one of Australia’s most remarkable artists and cultural leaders.

Deborah is a Yorta Yorta soprano, composer, educator and member of the Stolen Generations. Through her music, her advocacy, and her powerful storytelling, she has transformed the Australian cultural landscape. Her work gives voice to history, truth and healing, while creating pathways for future generations of First Nations artists.

Painting Deborah was both an artistic challenge and a profound emotional experience. Her intelligence, strength and dignity were immediately apparent, but so too was a deep sense of connection to Country, family and culture.

The Meaning Behind the Title

The title The Stolen Songlines of Miss Roselands 2 Year Old comes directly from an extraordinary and deeply moving part of Deborah Cheetham-Fraillon AO’s life story.

Yorta Yorta soprano, composer and member of the Stolen Generations Deborah Cheetham-Fraillon  AO began her public life at a very young age when she was crowned Miss Roselands 2 Year Old at Roselands Shopping Centre, a Sydney landmark of the 1960s.

A faded publicity photograph from that event, taped to the wall, was carefully kept by Deborah’s adopted mother, Marjory. Years later, when Deborah was finally reunited with her Aboriginal mother, Monica, she was stunned to discover the very same photograph among her mother’s most cherished possessions.

Such are the experiences of the children of the Stolen Generations.

For me, the title speaks not only of loss, separation and fractured identity, but also of enduring love, memory and invisible connection. Despite decades of separation, both mothers held onto the same image of the same little girl, each treasuring her in their own way.

The painting reflects those layered histories — the pain of displacement, the resilience of survival, and the unbroken threads of culture, family and belonging that continue to endure across generations.

Symbolism in the Painting

In creating this portrait, I wanted to reflect both Deborah’s personal history and her enduring strength.

The work seeks to evoke the weight of the past while also conveying resilience, grace and the restoration of identity. Deborah’s gaze is calm yet unwavering, embodying wisdom and determination.

The portrait was painted with great care to honour her story and to acknowledge the broader history of the Stolen Generations—one of Australia’s most painful and important truths.

A Powerful Presence in the State Library Collection

One of the aspects I love most about the acquisition is the placement of this portrait in the State Library’s collection.

The two portraits of strong First Nations women now look across the gallery toward a group of portraits of colonial men. It is a powerful and moving juxtaposition—an important visual reminder that Australia’s history is being retold and rebalanced.

These women, and the stories they represent, are central to our national narrative.

An Enduring Legacy

As artists, we often work alone in our studios, never knowing where a painting’s journey will lead.

To paint Deborah Cheetham-Fraillon AO was an immense honour. To have The Stolen Songlines of Miss Roselands 2 Year Old acquired by the State Library of New South Wales for its bicentenary collection is something I will treasure forever.

My hope is that this portrait continues to tell Deborah’s story for generations to come, encouraging reflection on Australia’s history while celebrating the resilience, brilliance and cultural leadership of one extraordinary woman.

It is deeply meaningful to know that this painting now forms part of Australia’s permanent cultural record.

 

 

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Finalist in the 2026 Archibald Prize with Peace Actually

5/20/2026 3:57:10 PM
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Finalist in the 2026 Archibald Prize with Peace Actually

 

Being selected as a finalist in the Archibald Prize, Australia’s most famous portrait prize, is an extraordinary honour and one of the most exciting moments of my career as an artist.

For more than fifteen years, I have entered the Archibald with the hope of one day seeing my work hanging on the walls of the Art Gallery of New South Wales alongside some of the country’s finest portrait painters. To finally receive the news that my portrait of Jan Fran, titled Peace Actually, had been selected as a finalist was both thrilling and deeply meaningful.

Jan Fran is one of Australia’s most insightful and engaging journalists and commentators. Known for her sharp intellect, wit, and fearless questioning, she has become an important voice in Australian media. I wanted to create a portrait that captured not only her strength and confidence, but also her humanity and thoughtful nature. The title Peace Actually reflects both Jan’s perspective on the world and the quiet determination she brings to her work.

To be included in the Archibald is particularly special because the exhibition represents the very best of contemporary portraiture in Australia. Each year, thousands of artists submit their work, and only a small number are chosen. To have my painting selected from such a competitive field is both humbling and incredibly rewarding.

Seeing Peace Actually hanging in the Archibald exhibition is the fulfilment of a long-held dream. It is also a reminder that persistence matters. After many years of entering this prestigious prize, this recognition feels all the more significant.

As a portrait artist, I am fascinated by the stories and personalities of the people I paint. Portraiture offers a unique opportunity to capture not just a likeness, but something deeper about the sitter’s character and presence. I am grateful that the Archibald judges saw something in this work that resonated with them.

This year has been especially memorable, as another of my portraits, The Stolen Songline of Miss Roselands 2 Year Old, was acquired into the permanent collection of the State Library of New South Wales as part of the Library’s 200th anniversary celebrations. To have these two major milestones occur so close together has made this an unforgettable chapter in my artistic journey.

I feel enormously grateful to Jan Fran for trusting me to paint her, and to everyone who has supported my work over the years. Being an Archibald finalist is not only a personal achievement, but also an encouragement to continue pursuing the stories and faces that inspire me most.

Peace Actually is now part of an exhibition that celebrates the richness and diversity of Australian portraiture, and I am honoured to have my work included in this remarkable tradition.

 

 

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Australian Portrait Artist Vicki Sullivan, Finalist in the Percival Portrait Prize 2026

3/9/2026 3:56:59 PM
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I’m thrilled that my painting Navigating Hope has been selected as a finalist in the Percival Portrait painting prize in Townsville .
The painting is of Thomas Mayo.
Thomas Mayo is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander man, assistant National Secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia and author of seven books about First Nations history and justice. Several of his books were shortlisted for awards and his book ‘The ‘Voice to Parliament Handbook’, co-authored with Kerry O’Brien, was voted 2024 Book of the Year at the Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIAs). Thomas is passionate about Indigenous rights and advocacy. He has crisscrossed the country for many years now, speaking with Australians about the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the path to justice and recognition for First Nations People. His book, ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’ is a guide for Australians (whether they voted yes or no) to what is next, after the 2023 Voice Referendum failed to pass. The book shares why people can have hope and inspiration for a better future. It shares the lessons from the past and, importantly, it’s a practical guide to achieve justice and recognition.
The Percivals 2026 will be exhibiting at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery from 23 May – 30 August 2026.

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My painting in the Collection of the State Library of NSW

6/2/2025 4:16:32 PM by Vicki Sullivan, Australian Portrait artist,
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I’m absolutely thrilled and deeply grateful that the State Library of New South Wales has acquired my painting The Stolen Songlines of Miss Roselands 2 Year Old, a portrait of the remarkable Deborah Cheetham Fraillon. It is an honour to have this work included in such a significant public collection, where it can contribute to the broader story of Australia’s cultural and social history. Yorta Yorta soprano, composer, and member of the Stolen Generations, Deborah Cheetham AO began her public life at a very young age when crowned Miss Roselands 2 year old at Roselands Shopping Centre, a 1960s landmark in Sydney. This faded publicity shot, taped to the wall, was kept safe by Deborah’s adopted mother Marjory. When Deborah finally met her Aboriginal mother Monica, she was stunned to find the same photo amongst her most cherished possessions. Such are the experiences of the children of the Stolen Generations—stories of separation and reconnection that carry deep emotional resonance. I hope this painting stands as both a tribute to Deborah’s extraordinary life and a reflection on the resilience of identity and memory.

 

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My Solo Exhibition in Daylesford

6/1/2024 3:34:09 AM by Vicki Sullivan
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I’m so thrilled to have a Solo exhibition of my still life paintings at The Convent Gallery in Daylesford.
It is such a wonderful space and the building and gardens are absolutely beautiful.
There is also a cafe with tasty food and coffee.
It’s a perfect place to visit in winter with such gorgeous scenery everywhere.
Daylesford is one of my favourite towns, rich with History and Alpine with Hot Mineral Springs.
I hope some of you can get along to see my show which is on until the end of July, and the address is below

 

Address

7 Daly Street
Daylesford, Victoria 3460

Opening Hours

Thursday to Monday 10am-4pm 

 

Here are a few photos of the exhibition 


 

 

There is so much to see around Daylesford in every season and as I get to know it ,

I am enjoying it more and more every time I visit. 

I hope some of you will make it along to the Convent Gallery and see the exhibition, from May 29 until July 31st 2004.

 

 

 

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Fiona with Walkabout Wickets, my Archibald Portrait Prize entry 2024

5/6/2024 4:11:48 PM by Vicki Sullivan
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I have recently sent off my 13th Archibald entry and am waiting to hear if it will be selected for the exhibition.

 

In my painting "Fiona with Walkabout Wickets," {Above} I had the privilege of capturing the essence of Fiona Clarke, a creative, multi-talented Aboriginal artist. Our connection led to a conversation about collaborating on a portrait, and I was thrilled when Fiona agreed.

 Inspired by Fiona's famous painting "Walkabout Wickets," we decided to incorporate it into the portrait as the focal point of my artwork, symbolising Fiona's significant contribution to the art world.

In 2016, Fiona was chosen as the artist for the 150th Anniversary of the First Aboriginal Cricket Team, “Cricket Walkabout” who played on the MCG in 1866 and toured England in 1868, triumphing over the English at their own game. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that Fiona is a descendant of two Aboriginal players from that historical time: James Couzens, her Great, Great Grandfather, and Jon Couzens, her Great, Great Uncle.

Fiona designed and created the artwork for this commemorative event, which  holds great significance in Australian cricket history. Both the men's and women's national cricket teams proudly wear her artwork on their collars during important matches, such as the Ashes series in 2019. State teams across Australia also pay homage to their ancestors by wearing Fiona's artwork on their uniforms.

Through "Fiona with Walkabout Wickets," I aim to honour Fiona's artistic legacy and ancestral ties to the Aboriginal cricket team. This painting represents the past, present, and future of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal players, symbolising unity and the rich cultural heritage that shapes Australian cricket.

 

 

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Portrait of John Flynn, founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service

3/27/2024 9:42:07 PM by Vicki Sullivan, Australian Portrait Artist
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It was a tremendous honour to be commissioned by Ryman Healthcare to create a posthumous portrait of the Reverend John Flynn, OBE, the visionary founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia in 1928.
This iconic service was established to deliver healthcare to those living in the remote outback, marking the inception of the world's first air ambulance.

When approached by John Maddaluno of Ryman Healthcare to craft a portrait for the John Flynn Village in Burwood, Victoria, I faced the unique challenge typical of posthumous portraits of historical figures- limited reference images, all in black and white.
Embarking on the creative process, I sketched and painted multiple color studies to determine the most fitting representation.
Selecting the optimal study, I meticulously integrated his attire from a separate reference, ensuring authenticity by including his old-fashioned suit with a fob watch cord.

In setting the backdrop, I aimed for a traditional, dark ambiance, gradually blending in a sky hue around his head to evoke a visionary gaze towards the heavens.

Photo of RFDS CEO Scott Chapman {LEFT} and Ryman Australia CEO Cameron Holland

The portrait was warmly received by the Ryman Healthcare team, CEO, and the Royal Flying Doctor CEO Scott Chapman & board members , a gratifying affirmation of the work.

 

Photos {left} of Portrait Artist Vicki Sullivan with RFDS CEO Scott Chapman. {Middle}From left .Cr Trudy Skilbeck,  Ryman Healthcare Group CEO Richard Umbers, State Member for Box Hill Paul Hamer, Portrait Artist Vicki Sullivan,RFDS CEO Scott Chapman, Graeme Elliot, CEO Ryman Australia Cameron Holland, Unknown & Federal MP for Chisholm Dr Carina Garland, 
Far right Portrait Artist Vicki Sullivan and Unknown resident


Attending the unveiling was a profound experience, deepening my understanding of both The Royal Flying Doctor Service and John Flynn's remarkable life. The event drew over 200 attendees, including esteemed figures like RFDS CEO Scott Chapman, Federal MP for Chisholm Dr. Carina Garland, and Ryman Healthcare Group CEO Richard Umbers.

 

The portrait portrait now graces the reception area of the John Flynn Village in Burwood, Victoria, serving as a tribute to a pioneering figure in Australian healthcare history.

If you are interested in commissioning a portrait from me
please visit my website by clicking this link  Commission a Portrait

 

 

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Exciting news about my new Portrait Instruction video

1/12/2024 3:43:14 PM by Australian Portrait Artist Vicki Sullivan
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I am thrilled to announce the release of my highly-anticipated portrait Instructional video.
I am often asked if I teach and now I am able to offer knowledge to students worldwide, streaming or DVD. This new video offers a comprehensive guide to my entire portrait painting process, catering to artists of all levels. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned painter, you'll find valuable insights and techniques to enhance your portrait painting abilities.  Immerse yourself in the world of portraiture as I share my expertise and secrets. From capturing the essence of a subject to mastering the intricacies of painting from life or photos,  Prepare to be inspired as you embark on step-by-step instructions and expert tips, you'll gain the confidence and skills to take your portrait painting to the next level. Click the link below to get this video AVAILABLE NOW
https://painttube.tv/products/vicki-sullivan-painting-realistic-portraits 

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