A lot has happened in the 15 years since Michael White painted Ochre Dunes Near Wentworth.
But that magical artwork he created on his way home from a painting road trip in South Australia has won him first prize - the Rose Lindsay Art award at Springwood High School’s Artfest –his alma mater.
The 48-year-old has been a prolific Mountains artist. In his heyday he had 14 solo exhibitions in 15 years, culminating in 2006 when he produced more than 100 paintings in a three month period in the American west.
But in 2012 he was diagnosed with the incurable disease, Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis and has struggled with the shakes and short term memory loss, making painting near impossible.
“I can’t even pick up a cup of coffee,” he told the Gazette from his Lawson home, covered by the decades of his colourful works on the walls and the smell of gum turps.
The honour by his school was “exciting,” he said, and “a recognition by his professional equals – Matthew Lynn, Jane Canfield, Victor Peralta and Michael Jungura – and pretty significant,” added his Dad, Don White, who was there with Michael’s mum, step mum, partner and youngest child to celebrate the occasion.
Michael said the win was “up there” with the highlights of his artistic career, which included having his own art gallery in Leura.
“It’s now a wine bar,” he said.
A father of one of the judges, Jane Canfield, had endured the same disease and that gave Michael hope.
“I’ve admired Jane’s work, Jane’s dad had MS and he was an artist too,” Michael said.
Michael is hoping to exhibit within the next 12 months but in the meantime is “enjoying having them [his old artworks] back here, instead of being out in galleries”.
“This is his legacy,” his dad, Don said, pointing to the walls, “whether he ever paints something else, they are here to remind people. He made his mark – that’s more than many people – and in such a short period.
“It’s that idea of that bright flaming shooting star in the firmament, but you don’t know how long it will burn.”
Botox injections to the neck were relieving some of his symptons, Michael said.
“If he can get his spasticity under control, he can paint again,” said Don.
Michael who still has the first painting he created in first grade at Faulconbridge Public called Three Trees, said he “would probably die with a brush in my hand, I’ll paint until I die”.
None of his three children are showing interest in following in his footsteps. The eldest Sophie, 25, is studying history; Chris, 22, is in the air force and the youngest, Giri, 6, “wants to go on The Voice.”
But he is not too bothered, buoyed by having his youngest back home from Germany.
“I’m the happiest disabled man you’ll meet in Katoomba,” he said smiling.
