Charcoal dry brush adds shine to auction

Broome artist Trent Caldwell has made it two in a row with a second piece of art making the grade for the annual Art for Epilepsy online auction this month.

Caldwell’s piece, a framed charcoal dry brush drawing called Don’t Hide, Shine Purple is one of more than $140,000 worth of artwork listed in the auction to raise funds for charity Epilepsy Action from February 14-March 26.

The piece depicts Perth girl Jessica Isaac in traditional grey style, but purple finger nails were added to represent the charity’s theme.

“It’s actually of my best friend, before I was thinking of who I want to draw, I was thinking of just getting my message across, that just because you have epilepsy doesn’t mean you’re any less beautiful, or less of a person than if you didn’t have the condition,” he said.

“I know it sounds cheesy but you’re still beautiful no matter what.

“Any awareness and support for those living with epilepsy is obviously a bonus, but also to say that people don’t need to hide behind the stigma of epilepsy — that’s a major driver for all my work.”

The bid on the piece at the time Broome Advertiser went to print was $210 from a starting offer of $50. “When it took off to $200 within a week I was ecstatic because I don’t do it to get my name out there — it’s just a hobby,” Caldwell said.