An unbreakable bond first captured on our television screens has now come to life in art form.
Central Queensland grazier Frank Finger and his champion kelpie working dog Annie stole hearts during the first season of ABC TV’s Muster Dog series.
Now, they’re back in the spotlight in the new ABC series Portrait Artist of the Year.
“It was all new to me and I thoroughly enjoyed watching the artists doing what they do so well,” Mr Finger said.
Frank Finger and Annie made the long trip to Sydney from their central Queensland farm to film the show. (ABC: Tali Gordon)
The humble third-generation cattle farmer and Muster Dogs TV personality has worn many hats in his lifetime, but never in his wildest dreams did he imagine being the subject of a portrait.
He said the experience was surreal.
“[Annie] enjoyed the whole trip, especially the high-rise hotel we were staying in,” he said.
“Once we’d been up the lift once, she knew exactly where the room was, what floor to get out on and she would lead the way like she was my carer.”
The artists were tasked with painting a portrait of Australian sitters in just 4 hours. (ABC: Tali Gordon/Sharon Gordon)
Portraits of famous Australian people
The eight-part series pits professional artists against amateurs over 4 hours as they complete a portrait of a well-known Australian.
Stream Portrait Artist of the Year on ABC iview
Hosted by Miranda Tapsell and Luke McGregor, three subjects are painted in each episode, as the talented artists from across Australia race against the clock to capture the likenesses of celebrities on canvas.
In episode six of the series, which aired on Sunday, December 7, Frank Finger and Annie make one last on-screen appearance together, alongside actor Chloe Hayden and comedian Alex Lee.
The sitters also bring with them a treasured personal item, something truly unique and special to them, which can be incorporated in the artwork.
In Mr Finger’s case, that was his prized pup Annie.
Filming took place in Sydney in February, and just four months later, Mr Finger endured the ultimate heartbreak.
Within the space of two days in June, Mr Finger lost both his beloved wife of 47 years, Catherine, better known as Cathy, and his “lovely dog” Annie.
A community stalwart of the small town of Clermont, 4 hours north-west of Rockhampton, Mrs Finger died on June 25.
Annie then died suddenly, at the age of five, from a brain aneurysm.
The episode was filmed before Annie’s sudden passing in June. (ABC: Tali Gordon)
Not one for the spotlight, Mrs Finger was happy to leave the television fame to her husband and Annie.
Mr Finger said their memories would live on forever after an emotional television farewell.
“It certainly will, but having said that, it was hard to watch, especially the little recognition at the end [for them],” he said.
Cathy Finger and Annie were adored by family, friends and the wider community. (ABC Capricornia: Aaron Kelly)
Capturing Frank and Annie’s relationship
Anna-Carien Goosen was one of three artists tasked with painting Mr Finger and Annie.
While Goosen worked as a professional artist in South Africa, she recently left her home country to become an Australian citizen and is now residing in Sydney.
Anna-Carien Goosen begins her portrait of the Muster Dogs fan favourites. (ABC: Tali Gordon)
Goosen said since arriving in Australia, there had been a reinvention of her artwork, inspired by the rich colours of the landscape.
During filming, she said her main focus was to capture Mr Finger’s special bond with Annie.
“When I saw Frank walk in and how he was handling Annie, I could see he’s a gentleman, a beautiful man with his dog,” Goosen said.
“I then realised that he’s not doing this because he wants a portrait of himself … he was there for a portrait of Annie.”
Luke McGregor and Miranda Tapsell with Anna-Carien Goosen and her stunning portrait. (ABC: Tali Gordon)
Goosen’s winning portrait depicts Annie obediently sitting in front of Mr Finger in a peaceful setting while the spirit of the bush shines through the pastel colours.
“We chatted while I was painting and it was interesting to hear Frank’s philosophy about handling dogs with gentleness,” she said.
“It was really beautiful to see.”
Annie proved the perfect portrait subject and even enjoyed a nap. (ABC: Tali Gordon)
Mr Finger said he chose Goosen’s portrait as “sitters’ choice” in the episode as it captured Annie’s calm and loyal nature.
“It was Annie that I was wanting them to capture and there was just something about Anna’s [portrait],” he said.
“Anna was the one while we were doing it, I just thought was most engaged, and she was a lovely lady.”
Frank Finger is rebuilding his life on his central Queensland farm after family heartbreak. (ABC Capricornia: Aaron Kelly)
Adjusting to a new way of life
The approaching Christmas period is taking on a sombre tone for the renowned working dog trainer and his Clermont family.
Mr Finger said his late wife, Cathy, and canine companion, Annie, were each “one of a kind” and deeply missed.
“It will be hard for everyone … but I just try not to think about it and it’ll come and go,” he said.
“I just had it in my mind they were going to be with me forever.”
Frank Finger with Annie. (ABC: Muster Dogs)
Back on his farm at Hillview, Mr Finger has also added another kelpie pup, Donny, to his busy working-dog team.
“I like a name that you can say two meanings,” he said.
“So, when he’s doing everything nice it’s ‘Donny here, Donny there, Donny good’ and then when he does something wrong, he doubles down to Donald and he knows he’s in trouble then.
“I used to change Annie’s name. Sometimes I would call her Annabelle, so it sounds silly, but it’s just all about voice tone when you’re training and I look for names that you can do that to.”
Frank Finger is renowned for his working-dog schools. (ABC Capricornia: Aaron Kelly)
Looking back on recent times, Mr Finger said he was amazed by the popularity Muster Dogs continued to receive.
“I got another charcoal painting of Annie in the mail a couple of weeks ago from a lady in Victoria that I had never met,” he said.
“It’s absolutely beautiful and then I got all these little handmade love hearts from a lady in Texas in America.”
Watch the new season of Portrait Artist of the Year free on ABC TV and ABC iview.
