KNOWING your time is up is a powerful motivator.
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When Border graphic artist Peter Smithwick was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer on his 50th birthday, 10 years ago, it alarmed him but a stem cell transplant at the Royal Melbourne Hospital went well.
Life went on.
Treatment for a relapse seven years later was also a success but this time Smithwick turned his focus from work to his passion – art.
Life went on.
Now a third bout, an inoperable bowel tumour, and fast failing eyesight because of cataracts, means time is limited for the 59-year-old.
On Thursday night an exhibition of his work at The Albury Club opened to a private audience. It is open to the public until December 4 .
“It's just crunch time so to realise an exhibition now is just gold,” Smithwick said from his Lavington home this week.
"It's not the way I wanted it but this exhibition is basically a soiree.
"Whoever comes … they mightn't see me again ... I might die, well it's definitely on the cards, that's what the oncologists tell me.
"This is the last box to tick, and the most important box.”
His collection consists of 30 drawings, sketches, pastel, pencil and permanent marker works.
Albury Picture Framers in Amp Lane have worked closely with Smithwick preparing the works for hanging.
The Border Mail readers would have unknowingly seen his skills during a 13-year career designing advertisements.
“I think the most glaringly obvious, interesting fact is that when I became well enough I just didn't know what was around the corner, obviously,” Smithwick said.
“Originally I was going to have a solo exhibition of 60.
“Then, about three weeks ago, I started losing weight, weight was dropping off me left, right and centre.
"I thought 'gee this is not looking good' it's one symptom you look for for a relapse.
"The body of work that's hanging now, there are only about six old pieces, the rest I've generated in the last two months. So I'm very proud of that and very lucky to have been able to do it."
His wife Robyn said when Peter had his second transplant, five or six years ago, the doctors said “OK if you survive this just concentrate on your own work”.
“Now time's limited so he's showing what he can show but he's disappointed, he's got so much more in him."
Life is finite.
