It was only when she visited Lightning Ridge on an art excursion in September 2008 that she came across Gale Collins' 'Black Queen' performance and discovered her subject.

“As soon as I saw her I picked up her passion and was intoxicated by her expression”, said Ms Forrest.

“Even before the end of the show I knew she was the one, I just had to paint her magic.”

Gale was blown away by the request to be an Archibald Prize subject.

“It's incredible that someone can be so inspired by my performance and think so highly of me and want me to be their subject”, said Mrs Collins.

“To be 61 years old and touch people's souls, what more could you ask to be doing”

Trudy said the work would not just be about painting her portrait but capturing her voice and body language that encompasses her spiritual nature.

“Her character has so many facets, she is a kaleidoscope of mannerisms”, said Ms Forrest.

It is uncertain what angle will be taken to create the piece, but Trudy revealed she would be use material and technique not regularly approached in the Archibald Prize.

Trudy will sit down with Gail for face to face painting sessions in coming months, of approximately 10 hours meeting Prize guidelines, which will allow her to capture the quirky areas of her face that are a fundamental part of the Black Queen's story.

A canvas has been prepared for the project, which reaches out at 1700mm by 1500mm.

“It is going to be huge, but it will be good to see Lightning Ridge in the Archibald”, said Mrs Collins.

Trudy has had a colourful life in the world of art spending much of her youth in Broken Hill, which agreed with her artistic ability, sending her on a journey through various institutions as she studied art.

“Art is my food, I don't know myself without paint”, said Ms Forrest.

“I really feel strongly about people painting from the heart. The heirarchy and snobbery of the high art world repulses me.