It also inspired her latest Archibald Prize entry.

Adams, born and raised in Maitland, was living in Darwin when she went to see Aboriginal singer-songwriter Gawurra in concert.

"It was the most moving experience," she said. "His music inspired me for starters, but he had been away from home working on his music career and hadn't seen members of his family for a long while.

"They turned up at the concert and called out to him from the audience and it obviously meant so much to him ... in between songs he would talk to them and it was bringing him to tears.

"It was so personal ... so incredibly moving."

Afterwards she went backstage and asked if he would be her next painting subject.

For Adams, 32, the occasion inspired her to take her art in a new direction.

Her previous Archibald entries - of Adam Goodes and Wayne Bennett - have incorporated bold colours, but Gawurra is a far more moody work.

"I've painted him in blue, with his face flowing into clouds ... it's certainly different to anything I've done before

"I like the fact that there are layers to this painting. The blue represent sadness that he's away from home, the clouds suggesting that while he might be away, his mind is still on home and family. I've added a sunset over the ocean at Milingimbi Island where Gawurra was born as well."

Is she pleased with the finished product?

"I really am. With any portrait you're trying to capture the character, to do your subject justice. I found Gawurra such an interesting, layered person. He's so well spoken and has achieved so much from a small beginning."

These include Gawurra winning the Northern Territory Song of the Year in the Pop category, four NIMA Awards, national recognition throughout the music industry and an ARIA nomination.

The painting will sell on Megan's website - www.meganadamsfineart.com - for $10,000 at auction with 10 per cent of the proceeds going towards the GO Foundation, a national scholarship program supporting disadvantaged aboriginal children to attend school.