FORMER Tamworth woman Jessica Ashton has fashioned quite a career out of painting.
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Ms Ashton was recently named a finalist in this year's Archibald Prize; her second nod in the prestigious competition in three years.
She now works at the University of Technology Sydney where she teaches illustration.
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But the portrait which saw Ms Aston sashay into the 2019 finals depicts a master of her former trade.
Her subject was Japanese-born Australian fashion designer Akira Isogawa.
Ms Ashton went into fashion after school before going to art school in her mid-20s.
Akira is known for his lavish and exotic designs, but Ms Ashton's portrait depicts a relatively pared-back visage.
The artist said she painted Akira "in his warehouse, surrounded by beauty and exquisite designs" but portrayed a "fairly reserved", shy and "very sensitive" character.
Ms Ashton's path toward painting professionally was partly paved in the classroom at Tamworth High School.
She said art teacher Robbie Robertson was very inspiring and encouraging in his energetic and slightly "crazy" classes where he would "jump table to table".
Murrurundi-based artist David Darcy was also named a finalist in the Archibald for the second consecutive year.
Mr Darcy's entry depicted Ngaanyatjarra elder Daisy Tjuparntarri Ward, an advocate against domestic violence, translator and artist in her remote Western Australian community.
The winner of the 2019 Archibald prize will be announced on Friday at the Art Gallery of NSW.