The Percivals 2026

About the Artwork

Percy, affectionately known as Coconuts, is a cherished member of Sarah’s family. Sarah advocates for greyhound adoption and fostering, caring for a lively clan of dogs, a number of whom I’ve been privileged to paint. This work aims to capture Percy’s beautiful eyes and sweet, if not sometimes crazy, nature.

About the Artist

Sophie Freshwater is a Naarm/Melbourne-based artist working across portraiture and representational art. After graduating from Victoria College Prahran, she spent several years as a graphic designer before returning to fine art in 2019. Working in oils, watercolour, and drawing, she creates portraits that tell quiet human stories and foster an emotional connection between sitter and viewer. Her practice often juxtaposes unexpected objects and symbols to highlight social and environmental concerns.

Alongside her portraiture, she has developed a series centered on endangered Australian bird species, reflecting a growing national urgency around biodiversity loss. Sophie also advocates for the welfare of domesticated animals, including dogs, that enter refuge care.

She has been a finalist in national art prizes, including the Portia Geach, the Smallacombe Portrait Prize, the Art Edit self-represented artist prize, and a semifinalist in the Moran Prize. Her first solo exhibition, held recently at Mario’s in Fitzroy, sold out.