Percy Crumblin was one tough cattleman. Sent north by Trevor Smidt in the 80’s Percy would probably have given me short shrift, if it wasn’t for Pam Moore, his artist wife who knew who I was and relished the chance to talk art. Fortunately for me, that sealed the deal, and Percy, a man of few words who mostly only respected equals in the cattle industry, took a second look at what I did.
That was a great break for me as Barkly Downs, Lake Nash and Georgina Downs were in full swing and Percy, busy as he was, really wanted me to get the dung, dust and sheer grit of the industry into my palate.
Driving back to base, dust swirling in the headlights, rum and water till midnight then up at 4.00am heading out again, week in week out, seven days a week, until the work was done. This was Percy’s routine.
It was at Victoria River Downs, next time I caught up with him, same work ethic, just tougher cattle, and conditions he thrived in and was keen for me to paint.
VRD cattle often took a liking to Percy!
