Painting a picture of Dr John Archer
Local Legend
Daniel Hodgson says he can describe personalities better in paintings than he can in words, so when he heard the heartbreaking news his friend and GP, Dr John Archer had died, he started painting.
The local artist and hospitality worker, 49, said two spectacularly colourful portraits of Dr Archer he did in the days after his sudden death last month, were to show how much he meant to the town.
“He was my GP for 24 years and we were pretty close,’’ Daniel said.
“I had been meaning to do a portrait of him for some time. When the news came through I started immediately.’’
Using paint pens for the work, Daniel completed one work of Dr Archer sitting at his desk.
“I just wanted to include a lot of colour to show how I saw him… a really bright, colourful personality.
“We connected with a similar sense of humour. He was a good person to reflect with.
“I did the first painting of him sitting at his desk, the iconic vision of how everyone saw him. But I wanted to show more of his personality, and the softer side of him, so did the close up of his face.’’
Daniel delivered the two artworks to the surgery to be given to the Archer family.
“It was good to see people respond to my artwork of him but it was really meant to just show how much he meant to the town.
“It was my way of telling people that I loved him.’’
Hundreds of people have paid tribute to Dr John Archer who died suddenly on May 11, online and at a large memorial service on Sunday. The Port Douglas Medical Centre stalwart served the community for more than 30 years.
