Saturday 3 January, 2009Aussie artist paints pols with his penis

Tim Patch, Queensland father of four, said he was drawing quick portraits in a market until "I told a friend I could paint with my dick, and she was really enthusiastic."

Since Mr. Patch felt he produced better portraits that way, he submitted some of them to galleries, "But nobody really wanted to know until I sent them to Sexpo and they loved it."

Sexpo is a series of four-day public events "looking at all aspects of health, sexuality, and adult lifestyles," held annually in several cities around the country.

Two of Mr. Patch's "penile portraits," of Prime Minister John Howard and Opposition Leader Kim Beazley, were unveiled at Perth Sexpo 2006. "My dad is not too impressed. He shook his head and said, `Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.' "

Mr Patch said he was still coming to terms with his newfound notoriety.