Gallery 4
WINGS - DARWIN
- MAY 2015
These are some of the
works exhhibited during May 2015 for my exhibition Wings -
the beginning, I hope, of a long journey studying the birds and other flying
creatures that still abound in the North of the Northern Territory of
Australia, where I have lived for the last 20 years. I marvel at their
adaptations to this harsh environment and despair as their habitat is steadily
destroyed...

Burdekins on a bend in the Creek
Radjah Shellducks mate for life - this pair was nesting on the seasonal creek that runs through my block in Humpty Doo.
private collection
private collection
Mixed media on canvas
122 x 122cm

Little Egret
I saw this handsome bird in his full breeding plumage at Fogg Dam, a favourite bird-watching spot South-West of Darwin, the site of a former failed rice project. I had been inspired by a book which a kind Japanese friend had given me, illustrating work of the great Japanese Master, Takeuchi Seiho. This is my humble tribute!
Mixed media on canvas
122 x 76cm

Pygmy Geese
A pair of Pygmy geese paddle through the translucent water of Goose Lagoon.
Private collection
Private collection
Mixed media on canvas
100 x 76cm

Bee Happy
I am indebted to Prof Graham Brown for his identification of this amazing iridescent blue insect that was visiting flowers on my block in Humpty Doo. It is the Flower Wasp, Zaspilothynnus scolioides, family Thynnidae. The male has wings, and was at the time I saw him, carrying his wingless female with him. I have shown her below.
Private collection
Private collection
Mixed media on canvas
76 x 76 cm

Tropic birds
I used to see Tropic Birds when travelling on the MV Belama in the outer Solomon Islands: Ontong Java and Sikaiana. These 'appeared' on my paper and I captured them with their monsoon sea.
Private collection
Private collection
Mixed media on canvas
51 x 61 cm

Rainforest Creek
This painting is based on Berry Creek, which arises at the springs in the Territory Wildlife Park.
Private collection
Private collection
Mixed media on canvas
122 x 76cm