Artwork

Lake Borumba Pheasant Coucals 2017 | Acrylic 120 x 75 cm

2017 Holmes Art Prize for Realisitc Bird Art - Finalist
Caloundra Regional Gallery Exhibition through November 2017
This acrylic painting references photos I took on Lake Borumba in Jan 2012. As a keen wildlife photographer I've camped at the lake many times, but this was the only time I've had a clear view of Pheasant Coucals. On this overcast day I was treated to about 20 mins and slowly inched the boat closer to this one branch. Thanks to my fishing mate and quiet electric motor!
On canvas, I wanted to re-create the camera's bokeh effect of the blurred forest behind, the soft overcast light and the detail of the branches they perched upon. I selected these views to show both the front and back, richly detailed feathers - and a reminder of their distinctive 'kook-kook-kook' call.