Little Corella

Little Corella by Anica Amphlett is an original watercolour and gouache painting. It measures 27cm x 37cm and is unframed.

Last but not least in this bird series is the Little Corella. The most playful bird I know. They are cheeky noisy and can congregate in enormous groups. Their playfulness is unlimited, as they play with each other, or hang by their beaks off small branches, or as they fall off something only to pick themselves up again to play yet again.

This series represents my selection of six Australian native birds that are significant to me and to many other bird-loving Australians. Their feathers are white. grey, black or brown without much colour or hardly any. The background colours of bright blue and umber signify their freedom in our skies and the umber brings them back down to earth.

The technical focus is not particularly on detail, even though there is some, but predominantly on their expressions. Their eyes are larger than normal but represent windows to their souls.

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Born in 1963 to Slovenian parents, I divided my first 20 years between Australia and Slovenia. My love for art took root in early childhood. I vividly recall the arrival of my first mail-order acrylic paint set and a "How-to-paint" book featuring a classic lesson on painting a fruit bowl. Discouraged from pursuing Art School, I relegated my dreams to a hobby and became self-taught.

At seventeen, during a visit to Switzerland to see a friend, I found myself with only 20 Swiss Francs. I chose to invest half in paper and paints. After painting all night, I sold three paintings the next day, which luckily saved me from a bind.

I've always been drawn to a variety of mediums—oils, acrylics, gouache, pastels, and lately, watercolors. My goal? To capture both light and emotion. I recall as a teenager pondering if paint could be used in such a way that it breathes life into a canvas. This curiosity has stayed with me over time. Each medium offers a unique avenue for self-expression, yet the subtle conveyance of emotion and vitality remains my never-ending challenge and aspiration.

I am inspired by Australia's vast beauty, the diverse landscape, colourful birdlife, amazing flora and fauna! I am mesmerised by the power of the sun and am in awe of great artists both past (Vincent Van Gogh) and present such as Thomas Schwaller and Alvaro Castagnet.