This month I have a selection of watercolours to add. The first is the Red roo joey “Debo” from the Kangaroo Sanctuary Alice Springs. This image was used in my textile piece of the same name “Big shoes to fill” with reference to the size of the feet and also the size these Kangaroos grow to be.
I loved this image when I saw the photo. I have painted several kangaroos over the last decade for several different art awards. This painting will be on display at the Shire of Harvey Art Prize, in Harvey, Western Australia, on the 4th March 2026. The theme was “From the land, From the heart” so my statement read that I love the pindan colours of the Australian outback, and what could represent the outback more than a red Kangaroo. My passion is animal portraiture so this image reflects both.
Here is another example of my love for Kangaroos. This gorgeous image was with permission from a reference photo by Marian Fenton Crawford, a West Australian wild life photographer. It was such a cute photo, I loved painting this one. Usually with my watercolours there is some penwork over the top, but this one I decided not to. I rather liked the softness of the fur. There are several layers to this painting, seen mostly on the white chest.
This painting will be on sale at the Cellar at Vineyard 28
Another popular image for Western Australia is the Splendid Blue Fairy Wren. A tiny bird with a magnificent colour, as they fly past it is like seeing a jewel glint in the sunlight. These always prove to be a very popular subject with artists and photographers. This painting will be on sale at the Cellar at Vineyard 28.
This subject is one I have painted and sewn on many occasions. After a bushfire this area of bush was a bloom with wildflowers and new growth on the Australian grass trees. I took many photographs as reference, and have taught Free Motion Sewing Workshops using these images. I have still managed to include a spattering of the Windsor and Newton Bengal Rose, you can see it in the trunks of the trees.