A true moment of Bliss for talented artist

When a Mackay schoolgirl found out her painting would be immortalised by the Cutters, she was convinced the whole world could have heard the reaction.

Charli Bliss and Jayden Hodges with Charli's original artwork that has been immortalised on the Cutters' Indigenous round jersey. Picture: Stuart Quinn

Rugby league: When a Mackay schoolgirl found out her painting would be immortalised on the Cutters special Indigenous round jersey, she was convinced the whole world could have heard the reaction.

While a talented young painter and proud indigenous community member, Charli Bliss, 12, never thought her painting would ever end up so prominently featured after the idea was sparked, especially by the club that she loves.

"I was on holidays and most kids would be on technology sometimes if they had nothing to do - and I'm not afraid to say that - so mum gave me the idea,” she said.

"I used to paint them for my teachers and all that, she suggested one for the Cutters, so we drew it on paper, and I started painting.

"When I'd done the painting it had been a while and mum got a message (from the Cutters); she told me (about the jersey) and I actually screamed... I screamed really loud and felt like the whole world could hear me.”

Sam Bliss, Charli Bliss and Jayden Hodges. Picture: Stuart Quinn

The daughter of former Australian player and Cutters board member, Samantha Bliss, Charli is no stranger to rugby league and is blazing her own path after recently making a Capricorn region representative side.

With her family background leading back to Boigu Island in the Torres Straight, Charli's painting incorporates a number of Indigenous themes.

Also inclusive of themes for suicide prevention, women in league, traditional colours, and interconnecting circles signifying bringing the Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities together, the painting was topped off by a centrepiece of the Cutters' logo.

"The gold and silver represents success; a winning colour, and with the Cutters' logo in the middle, it's all connected,” Charli said.

After wearing the jersey against the Central Queensland Capras in Rockhampton last Saturday, the Cutters will play in the strip against the Ipswich Jets at BB Print Stadium tonight (Friday).

In a special night for the club and it's indigenous players and the indigenous community during NAIDOC week, Charli will be proudly wearing one of the jerseys herself from the sideline as a ball girl.

"We really love the Cutters, I love the people in it and they're so nice to me and they look after me like they're part of my family,” she said.

"I enjoy being a ball girl and it will be amazing to see them wearing it (jersey). It (painting) was just a nice little gift, but it became so big, and the Cutters wearing my painting is just a huge thing for me.”

Uncle and Cutters' hooker Jayden Hodges said the pride in wearing niece Charli's jersey wasn't lost on the players.

After having the opportunity to wear the jersey against the Capras, he said he was looking forward to wearing it on home soil.

"I think it's awesome that the Cutters have done this... it's a great concept and it's even better being being an Indigenous player and being able to wear the jersey and wear it with pride,” Hodges said.

Originally published as A true moment of Bliss for talented artist