It is a great honor to be selected as a featured artist by USA based Artsy Shark.
Artsy Shark are a US based artist support and promotional organisation who jury select and “Feature amazing artists, sharing their stories with the world”.
The Artsy Shark selection process is a highly competitive curated process. Artists in every medium around the globe compete to be selected as a features artist.
“Lenny” the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo has been successfully selected for inclusion in the Capecare acquisition project 2021.
Capecare is today the largest regionally based independent aged care provider in Western Australia. They are an organisation dedicated to supporting the local art community by acquireing and displaying art throughout their residential care buildings for residents, their families, visitors, staff and local community to enjoy.
“Lenny” was one of the artworks selected from many submissions for the acquisition project. He will hang on permanent display in the newly completed Capecare residency in Dunsborough where residents, visitors and staff can enjoy the artworks of local artists together with the artist’s biography and artist’s statements supporting each individual artwork.
It is a great honor to be included in the 2021 acquisition project.
Thank you Arts Margaret River for co-ordinating this very special project and thank you Capecare for the acquisition of “Lenny”.
The conversion of our old rustic stables into my new artist studio is a dream come true! Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would one day have my very own dedicated creative space (40 square meters) to splash paint, display my Birdlife artworks and share my oil painting techniques with like minded creative enthusiasts.
It has been an all consuming project under the supervision of our totally domesticated rescue Sheep (yes that is her name) who together with her Alpaca friends enthusiastically greet all guests to our property.
Gallery visitors are always welcome – just drop me a message so I can warm up the kettle.
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“Marty” – Carnaby Cockatoo painted in oils was Sold and shipped to his new home in Italy on 26th September 2021. “Marty’s” new owner was so thrilled with her acquisition, telling me how excited she was to be receiving a painting that would brighten the dark time of living through Covid in Europe.
Both Marty’s new owner and I kept a close eye on his movements across the oceans to his new home. Touching base with one another when we both received confirmation he had arrived in Italy approximately 2 weeks after his departure from the shores of Australian. That was 14th October 2021.
With much anticipation we continued to track the whereabouts of “Marty”. Milan – December 4th 2021 is the last Tracking record of his location.
There has been no news since then.
Sadly all endevours to locate “Marty” have failed. We can only hope with fingers and toes crossed he will arrive at his new owners destination or be returned to his artistic creator.
Where are you “Marty”?
It is an honor to be re-invited to teach at the annual Albany Summer School. This year the school celebrated an anniversary of 61 years an achievement giving the school recognition as being one of Australia’s longest running Summer School Events.
This year I taught two classes over the second week of the school curiculum program.
The morning class was titled “Understanding Light Dark Harmony” where students were shown how to identify value and tone. The afternoon class was titled “Mastering the Art of Colour Mixing” where students created their own colour wheel and learnt how to match colour using 3 primary colours plus white.
All students were encouraged to create their own artwork using the oil painting techniques learnt in class.
The results were remarkable with nearly every student completing their own oil painting within class time. To my amazement some students had never used oils or even painted before.
We laughed, cajoled, shared learning moments, but most importantly had fun.
I am so proud of all my students, who’s results speak for themselves. Thank you for joining me at Albany Summer School 2021.
Congratulations to each of you!
Thank you to Fusion Art. It is truly a great honor to be selected as Traditional Artist Spotlight winner for the month of May 2020.
It was an honor to have been invited to tech “Oil Painting Techniques” at the 60th anniversary of the Albany Summer School. The school – one the longest running Summer School programmes in Australia.
My class was fully booked with a team of 12 talented and enthusiastic students – all at different levels of oil painting experience. Together we mastered the art of painting in oils and enjoyed a fun week of creative learning with lots of laughs and amazing results.
Thank you to my fabulous team of artistic students. I was overwhelmed by your enthusiasm and very proud of your spectacular results. Congratulations.
I have been asked to return for the 2021 Albany summer School and look forward to teaching not one, but two courses in “Oil Painting Techniques”.
I present to you a sample of small bird paintings 12.5cm x 17.5 cm created whilst on a 12 month European road trip.
It seems surreal painting Australian birds in Italy, France, Croatia and different European locations, but Aussie birds are my thing and as they say you have to follow your passion.
Having retired from corporate careers my husband and I have been doing what our friends call – “living the dream”. The agreement before we left home was that I could continue to paint.
We have spent the past 12 months travelling across Europe, pet sitting between destinations which has given me time to continue pursuing my love to paint Australian birds in oils.
Pet sitting is a wonderful way to travel. we have visited some amazing locations, met and developed friendships with wonderful people and looked after beautiful much loved pets including turtles, fish, ducks, goats, cats, dogs and horses.
Combining travel and oil painting can become tricky particularly when packing wet paintings into an already over stuffed car. Luckily I have a devoted husband who is committed to my passion – after hours of meticulous car packing practice he has excruciatingly solved the artwork packing quandry. The unpacking is another issue.
My small Australian Bird paintings are available via my web.
“Mitch” Major Mitchell painted in oils 40cm x 50cm.
Dressed in salmon pink these magnificent cockatoos possess a crown befitting a king.
” Mich” the Major Mitchell now resides on the walls of a Californian bird life art collector who’s passion is cockatoos. It is lovely to share Australian birds in painted form.
To me birds are one of natures gifts belonging in their natural habitat where we can cherish and protect them for generations to come.
Thank you wildlife photographer Keith Lightbody for graciously providing the reference photo for my interpretation.
A portion of every original painting I sell is automatically donated to Birdlife Australia.
“Swoop” my bird painting of an Australian Magpie takes pride of honor – Jury selected “Best in Show” by the USA based Camelback Gallery “Animal” one line painting competition.
“Swoop” was lovingly painted in memory of my father who lost his battle with Parkinson’s disease. When asked what bird would he like me to paint – my father announced “A Magpie”. In his final weeks we would walk and sit together watching the magpies play antics in the local park. My last memories of spending quality time with my father.
Thank you to Muneer Al Shanti for graciously providing the reference photo for this painting.
How fabulous to be featured by IntoBirds – an online magazine and community for bird lovers.
Here’s a link to the full story!
This is a photo of wildlife photographer Shaun Fearn standing next to my oil painting called “Edwina’s Luncheon Orb”.
Shaun graciously provided the reference photo for this painting which was jury judged as a finalist in Australia’s most prestigious bird art competition – the 2017 Holmes Art Prize for Realistic Birdlife.
I could not do what I do without the support of the amazing photographers who graciously share their talents. Thank you Shaun.
Together we support BirdLife Australia.
Thank you to all my followers and birdie enthusiast friends for your support on “Happy Wrensdays”.
Wednesday is a special day for lovers of birds. Many refer to the mid week working day as hump day. Not so for Wren admirers, who have renamed this day ” Wrensday” in honour of the worlds beautiful Wrens.
To support and celebrate this special day I have created a series of “Happy Wrensday” paintings in varying poses and sizes. Due to the popularity of “Happy Wrensday” my little Wren series is constantly and happily being added to.
Ranking highly on the Wren popularity scale is the Splendid Fairy Wren or Blue Wren who when dressed in his courtship suit during the months of August to October is truly dazzling sigh to behold.
I can confirm when in full dress the Blue Wren consists of at least 16 shades of blue.
Most of my Wren bird paintings are for sale through the website – either as originals or prints.
I can also create a little Wren just for you or a loved one.
I am glad to announce that a selection of my bird paintings are available at Jahroc Galleries in Margaret River. I feel honoured to have them represent my bird artworks.
Jahroc is one of the leading galleries in the region with a long history in the town.
It is perfectly located in the Southern end of the main street and is well known to art lovers.
As an Australian Bird Artist I feel that t is important to have a gallery whose patrons relate to my bird art. Jahroc is perfect for this, as is the region.
For those who don’t already know, Margaret River is one of Australia’s premium wine, tourist and surfing destinations. The region is also home to a large variety Australian birdlife – including the very popular and spectacular Splendid Blue FairyWrens.
The aim of every professional artist is to become widely known and have his or her talent more widely recognised. (We also need to sell some stuff from time to time – partly because we need the money but more importantly as an acknowledgement that others appreciate our skills.)
Gallery representation is an important step in building an artist’s reputation. It is important to foster a strong relationship with the right gallery (or galleries) and I am pleased to have Jahroc’s support in my journey.
I admit to being a bit nervous about my first solo art exhibition for my bird art. I knew it was going to be a brave move – but nothing ventured, nothing gained!
As it happened I had nothing to worry about as the exhibition was a huge success. The turn out was terrific, with nearly 200 people visiting over the weekend, and a full house on the Friday night opening.
As my specialty lies in a fairly narrow niche, that of realistic Australian bird paintings and bird art, I’m never sure how well my paintings are going to be received.
Having received a gracious offer of gallery space at The Rose, North Fremantle, Western Australia, I was at first unsure. But with the support and encouragement of my amazing family and friends I was persuaded to go solo and accept the opportunity.
The result was “A Birds’s Perspective” – a solo exhibition of my Australian bird paintings. It was held over the Mothers’ day long weekend in May 2018.
Visitors from all over Western Australia brought their families and friends to view my bird paintings. I was overwhelmed by the attendance and support of friends, fellow artists, bird enthusiasts and bird art collectors, some of whom had traveled hundred of kms to attend.
We sold eight of my original bird paintings and a couple of plein air pieces. Of the bird paintings sold, I was a bit sad to part company with “Edwina’s Luncheon Orb”. Edwina is one of my favourites, and a finalist in the 2017 Holmes Art Prize.
I also received several commissions and lost count of the number of bird art prints and gift cards sold.
A portion of original bird painting sales is always donated to Birdlife Australia, as I believe it is important to support our threatened and endangered and feathered friends. I am glad to report that over the exhibition weekend we raised nearly $1,000 for that important cause.
Thank you to all who visited, supported and contributed to the success of my first bird art solo exhibition and my passion for protecting and painting Australian birdlife.
Meet Steve – a magnificent Australian White-bellied Sea Eagle – one of Australia’s largest and most spectacular birds.
With all of my bird paintings my artistic challenge is bring them to life. I want them to talk, to tell their story to everyone who sees them. To achieve this, I work hard on each bird’s expressions and personality, as well the story behind the painting
In this original oil painting, Steve is focused on his prey and is about to capture his prey – fish for lunch?
Quite apart from the sheer majesty of this beautiful bird in flight, I enjoy his look of concentration and focus which belies his fishing objective.
I am passionate about Australian wildlife, particularly birdlife. I am a realist oil painter who wishes to showcase the beauty and majesty of Australia’s birds.
Over the last few years I have met many amazing photographers who specialise in Birdlife photography, and who have generously allowed me access to their material as inspiration and reference points. My challenge then is to bring these to life – to get them to talk not only to me but to everybody that sees the bird painting.
I met Nathan Piesse at a Birdlife Digital photography event where one of my paintings was being showcased as an example of how digital photography could be utilised by artists.
“Steve” is one of Nathan’s favourite shots, and I agreed to paint him. I was very excited about this project, not only because of “Steve’s” majesty, but also because it involved a different challenge from my other recent projects. I endeavoured to capture the moment as this sharp eyed Eagle, in hunting pose catches the light and reflects across the water.
To properly convey “Steve’s” story, I brought his talons to the fore, giving them greater emphasis, as well as focussing more on his eyes and reworking the sea backdrop to better capture the beauty of this bird and the moment of the catch.
The original oil painting of “Steve” now roost’s on display in Nathan’s new home, and a prints is currently on display in the Village Art Gallery at Whiteman Park, along with a collection of my other birdlife paintings.
Few Australian birds of prey are as spectacular as the White-bellied Sea Eagle. Although similar in shape to the well known Wedge-tailed Eagle, and almost as large, the Sea Eeagle is readily distinguished by its contrasting crisp white and ash grey plumage, which adds to its striking appearance as it soars effortlessly on broad wings. Despite its name, the Sea Eagle is not confined to coastal areas, and the species is regularly recorded at terrestrial wetlands far from the sea, especially along larger inland rivers and at freshwater swamps and lakes.
To discuss your own personal commission please come and see me at the Village Art Gallery – Whiteman Park or contact me through the message area of my website.
