Laura Jones Brooke and Jimmy

Brooke Boney is a Gamilaroi woman from Muswellbrook, NSW, and the first Indigenous presenter in the history of Australian breakfast television.

Having worked as a political correspondent in the Canberra press gallery and a newsreader for ABC’s Triple J, she is now an entertainment reporter on the Nine Network’s flagship program Today.

‘On the day of the sitting in my studio, Brooke asked if she could bring her pug Jimmy along. I thought that his funny little face would be a great contrast to Brooke’s because she is almost too beautiful to paint!’ says Sydney-based Laura Jones, a two-time Archibald finalist.

‘I wanted to capture Brooke’s radiant warmth, but also the high-pressure nature of her job, presenting on live television. She balances the responsibility of representing her community while relating to a broad audience. I decided hot pink would be a great start.

‘Brooke sat in a swivel chair near the window. I did a drawing of her on my iPad and worked straight onto the canvas after she left. The painting came easily. The process seemed to mirror the calm confidence of this graceful, important young leader, who is illuminating the path to a bright future for Australia.’