Kokako Aria

Kokako Aria

Oil on Canvas

1200x1200mm

2009

Description
The painting  is of the Kokako which is a native bird of New Zealand. The bird is reknown for its beautiful bird call. The birds posture in the painting is like the diva of an opera before or perhaps after the final curtain call. In essence, all the combined elements are one as they allude to the mystical union of an Atua in nature.

Takahe Chick

 

Takahe Chick

Oil/Gold Leaf on Board

1000x1200mm

2010

Description

Takahe Chick is a painting of a specimen at the Auckland Museum. The bird is preserved in its chick stage of evolution.Takahe's are an endangered New Zealand Bird endemic to New Zealand. Recent efforts to increase their numbers have been successful with some relocated to remote New Zealand Islands. The use of Gold Leaf adds a luminous element to the work. The use of Gold Leaf is from the influence of Religious Icon painting.

 

Seagull Bird Portrait

The Karanga

Oil on Canvas

1500x1750mm

2003

Description.

This portrait of a Seagull is a large format oil painting on canvas.The background was a wall from the Auckland Museum in which the specimen is contained.

Whekau Bird Portrait

Whekau

Oil on Canvas

1050x1500mm

2009

Description.

This portrait of a Whekau is an oil on canvas.The Whekau was a native New Zealand Owl which was called the Laughing Owl by colonial settlers to New Zealand. The image is taken from a specimen at the Auckland Museum. Flecks of vivid green come through below the muted tones of  feathers to enliven surface and form.

Huia Bird Portrait

"Te Huia o te Tomokanga"

Oil on Linen

1500x1500mm

2003

Description.

This is a large format oil painting on fine quality linen. It depicts the extinct Huia bird of New Zealand. The bird portrait image was sourced from a specimen at the Auckland Museum which is common for many of my images. The image is painted  in broad paint marks for the body and feathers, however, details have been picked out to emphasize the beak and eyes.

Bald Eagle Bird Portrait

 "Paul"

Oil on Canvas

1400x1200mm

2009

Description.

This moderately large oil painting is expressively painted to pick out the form and patterning of feathers in the Bald Eagle. The  interest in painting portraits of birds from other countries is apparent in this iconic American bird. The dedication to people who have passed on is a recurrent theme of mine.

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Little Blue Penguin Bird Portrait

"Colin"

1400x1220mm

Oil on Canvas

2009

Description.

The oil painting depicts the Little Blue Penguin. This species of penguin is the smallest of its kind and found on many coastal shores of New Zealand and Southern Australia. It is known as the Korora by Maori. 

Kiwi Bird Portrait Painting

"Look"

1500x1500mm

Oil on Linen

2003

Description.

The image is a large format oil painting of the rare New Zealand Great Spotted Kiwi which is endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. The image was sourced from a colour negative due to the  night vision effect it implied for me. Kiwi's are nocturnal birds.