I have a lovely large picture window in my studio that looks out on spotted gum forest and a Callistemon tree laden with bright red flowers. It buzzes with insects and birds, a constant distraction and draw of delight.
We are lucky with our diversity, the watchful leer of Yellow Robins, the chat and chitter of Thornbills, the hop and trill of Fairy Wrens, scratch and screech of White Winged Choughs, the watchful warble of magpies, flash of Eastern Spinebill and creeping peep of Satin Bowerbird.
Birdsong grounds me, it is the sign of a healthy environment and it is home.

These bird monotypes are made by inking a slab then placing a light Japanese paper on top and making quick, gestural, pencil line drawings on the back of the paper to pick up the ink.
You have to be quick! The birds flit in and out of your line of sight giving you a brief chance at capturing their movement and form. I love the speed and uncomplicated nature of this printmaking process; it is an idea in flight!
Once the ink on the prints is dry I add colour with coloured pencils on the back of the print and then glue the light Japanese paper onto a heavier cotton rag printmaking paper. The colour becomes translucent, held between the two layers of paper, the inky print floating on top.

The large linocuts seek to capture the energy and resilience inherent in the spotted gum forest, the change in seasons, bird migration and life cycles.
I take daily walks within the forest, collecting sticks and mark making tools, drawing memory lines, mapping the topography, taking note of small details, tiny seeds, new flowers and colour changes. Expressive gestural marks are then mapped through carving out lines onto a lino plate over many months, something ephemeral made solid.

When the bushfires hit our area, the Eurobodalla, in 2020 we lost 80% of our forests. There was an eerie silence that descended in burnt out areas, an absence of vitality and life. No birds or insects, no creatures.
With the summer looming hot and dry ahead of us I have an urgency to document what we still have, to hold on to what is left.
To not take things for granted.
The bush is resilient, I draw hope from its energy and adaptation, but I think I’d rather have two birds in the bush than one in the hand.
How about you?
AND, if, I’ve whetted your appetite for twitching, you’re in luck!
October 16-22 is Bird Life Australia’s Aussie Backyard Bird Count.
Download the app and do your bit for citizen science.

Room Sheet
1. Relief Print I (Gums)
Linocut on Kozo paper, 99 x 70cm, 2023
Edition 1/2, framed
SOLD
Edition 2/2, unframed
$1,200

2. Relief Print II (Wallaby Grass)
Linocut on Kozo paper, 99 x 70cm, 2023
Edition 1/2, framed
$1,800 SOLD
Edition 2/2, unframed
$1,200

3. Relief Print III (Autumn)
Linocut on Kozo paper, 99 x 70cm, 2023
Edition 1/2, framed
$1,800 SOLD
Edition 2/2, unframed
$1,200

4. Eastern Yellow Robins
Monotype with chen collé and coloured pencil, 39.5 x 28 cm, 2023
SOLD

5. Eastern Yellow Robins II
Monotype with chen collé and coloured pencil, 33 x 19.5 cm, 2023
$450

6. Eastern Yellow Robins III
Monotype with chen collé and coloured pencil, 24 x 14 cm, 2023
$350

7. White Winged Choughs
Monotype with chen collé and coloured pencil, 28.5 x 23 cm, 2023
$495

8. Bowerbirds
Monotype with chen collé and coloured pencil, 20.5 x 32.5 cm, 2023
$450

9. Thornbills (Pool Party)
Monotype with chen collé and coloured pencil, 28 x 19 cm, 2023
$450

10. Eastern Spinebills
Monotype with chen collé and coloured pencil, 33.5 x 25.5 cm, 2023
$495

11. Magpies
Monotype with chen collé, 78.5 x 19.5 cm, 2023
$650

12. Fairy Wrens
Monotype with chen collé and coloured pencil, 49.5 x 14.5 cm, 2023
$480

13. Fairy Wrens (Bandits)
Monotype with chen collé and coloured pencil, 28.5 x 20 cm, 2023
$380

14. Grey Shrike Thrush
Monotype with chen collé and coloured pencil, 25.5 x 37 cm, 2023
$480

15. Crimson Rosellas
Monotype with chen collé and coloured pencil, 38.5 x 23 cm, 2023
$495

16. Scarlet Honeyeaters
Monotype with chen collé and coloured pencil, 28.5 x 20 cm, 2023
$450

Gift Card Packs available
3 x different designs per pack
$20

For sales please contact me directly.