I have wanted to create this painting for a long time. One of my most loved paintings is Frederick McCubbin's iconic "Down on his luck". The painting depicts a very forlorn swaggie sitting on a log in an easily recognised Australian bush setting. There were many of these characters roaming the Australian landscape looking for work or a feed during the depression years. McCubbin created the painting over a hundred years ago and I have had the urge to let the swaggie rest. As a consequence I have painted "the swaggie's final waltz". The swagman has died. In the middle foreground is a hazy figure representing his spirit moving towards the light and eternal rest. I have included two dogs in the painting who are looking towards the departing spirit but they stay with their master. A small tribute to the loyalty of these animals. May he rest in peace. Oil on stretched canvas 760mm x 610mm.