Dagmar's painting of Mahalia and Rosie Barnes is a finalist at the Portia Geach Memorial Award

Dagmar Cyrulla’s artist statement for ‘Mahalia and Rosie’.

I first heard Mahalia Barnes sing in Jesus Christ Superstar and knew I wanted to paint her. We finally arranged a time in between her hectic performance schedule. Mahalia texted me just before to let me know that she had her youngest daughter with her, Rosie. I love when things like this happen, as it gave me an additional insight into Mahalia and the love she has for her children. I wanted to capture this, her warmth and her mesmerising talent in this painting. She is feminine and strong, just the kind of woman I love to paint.