'Brushman of the Bush' Jack Absalom OAM has died in hospital, aged 91.

Absalom was best known for his landscape paintings and bush survival skills, which were televised to the nation by the ABC in the 1970s and '80s.

A kangaroo shooter, boxer, and bush survivalist, Absalom discovered art later in life while playing guide to artists Eric Minchin and Roy Gundry.

"Eric and Roy expressed a wish to go painting in the outback, and selected Jack as their guide," fellow artist John Pickup said.

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"He watched them for a couple of days and eventually he just went up to Eric and said 'give me one of those canvas things, I want to see what I can do'.

"He painted something, went home, and told his family 'I'm a professional artist'."

Jack Absalom swimming in the bush in 1981. ( ABC )

Raised millions for charity

The Brushmen of the Bush were formed in the 1970s, taking Australian landscape art all over the world and raising millions of dollars for charity.

The group consisted of Absalom, Pro Hart, John Pickup, Hugh Schulz, and Eric Minchin.



"Jack was larger than life, he was so full of life," Pickup said.

"I have the fondest regard for the nearly 20 years that I had in Jack's company."

The Brushmen of the Bush (L-R) John Pickup, Jack Absalom Hugh Schulz, Eric Minchin, and Pro Hart. ( Submitted: AJ Reade )

Absalom grew up in an isolated settlement called Naretha on the train line across the Nullarbor Plain.

His formative years encouraged Absalom's roots to grow towards the dry centre of the continent and he settled at Broken Hill.

A recipient of the Order of Australia, Absalom's philanthropic work was central to his character.

He spent much of his later years capturing the colours and scenes of Australia's interior in paint which he exhibited in his gallery at Broken Hill.

"Not only Broken Hill, but Australia, has lost a very fine artist," Pickup said.