ARTIST Ian Reardon has again put brush to canvas and donated another incredible masterpiece to be auctioned at Talmoi picnic races on Saturday.
Mr Reardon is well-known across the district as the artist-in-residence at Terry Hie Hie, east of Moree.
And he’s been busy in recent months – in between other projects – creating magnificent artworks for local race clubs and organisations.
Last year, Mr Reardon’s painting, Before the Last at Talmoi, sold at the Garah races for $7500.
At Mungindi, Watching the Local Favourite Bring them Home, brought $4000.
He’s again donated another piece to Mungindi Jockey Club and is also working on a series of paintings focused on warhorses used in global conflicts.
Mr Reardon also donated The Charge of Beersheba to the Moree RSL Sub-Branch to display at Moree RSL Regional Military Museum.
His masterpieces for local race clubs again perfectly capture the heart of bush racing.
He said bush race meetings like Talmoi and Mungindi are an important part of the rural landscape.
“They’ve got history, and I’d hate to see that go,” Mr Reardon said.
“I think it helps the race meetings if there is something like this to raise some money for the district.”
“The series of painting I’m doing on warhorses is the same – it’s all about history.”
The warhorse series, featuring the most famous of them all, Bill the Bastard, is a two-year project.
“My daughter, Belinda Bligh, will do the stories for each painting, and there will be 10 paintings in the series,” Mr Reardon said.
As a child, Mr Reardon was encouraged to paint by his maternal grandfather, Jack Isbister.
However, he didn’t pick up a brush and palette again until the late 1990s, and his work has been prolific ever since.
“I enjoy doing this type of thing, and get a buzz out of seeing them sold for good causes,” Mr Reardon said.
Another piece of Mr Reardon’s work will be auctioned at Mungindi Jockey Club’s annual race meeting on Saturday, July 5.
He has also donated artworks to Gwydir Industries in Moree and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.
“If I can help in any way that will benefit the community, I will,” he smiled.
Mr Reardon’s artwork, as well as the coveted Talmoi Cup and trophies, is this week displayed in the windows of Sparkes Jewellers on Heber Street, Moree.
Meanwhile, Talmoi Picnic Race Club on Monday received 65 nominations for Saturday’s six-race card, including 14 for the 1400m Warren and Ruth Hunter Memorial Talmoi Picnic Cup and 10 nominations for the 1000m Helen Boland Memorial Talmoi Bracelet.
Dubbo trainer Connie Greig again dominates the cup, with six nominations – Individualist, Celtic Harp, Chookster, Benyatta and Pahang and Blackhill Kitty, which finished first and second in the recent Mallawa Cup.
Acceptances for Talmoi close at 9am, Thursday, June 19.
Platinum sponsors for round three of bush racing’s Golden Triangle include B&W Rural Moree, Kenway and Clark, Syngenta, Black Truck and Ag, Providore Global, RDO Equipment, TTS, BMC, Australian Food and Fibre and Orica.
Tickets are available online at Talmoi Picnic Races Tix June 21. Children under 16 are free.
Buses will leave Moree from the Royal Hotel at midday and return at 6pm and 9pm.
Talmoi Picnic Races
When: Saturday, June 21
Where: Talmoi racecourse, Garah
Time: from around midday
Tickets: Online at Talmoi Picnic Races Tix June 21.
