Sharp Witness

He sees you. That is the thing about kookaburras. They look back, fixing you with the steady, unhurried appraisal of a creature that has already made up his mind and is waiting to see if you prove him right.
Kookaburras are difficult to paint (I think) The subtle textured plumage, the particular mix of humour and authority in their expression. This intimate head study demanded close attention. He repays it.
He measures 20 x 20 cm on a thick edge canvas, in a Tasmanian Oak Frame.

Tuck him into a bookcase nook or a narrow shelf and accept that he will be watching you.

NOTE: Delayed delivery. Artwork is not available until Mid-September when it is returned from an art exhibition in Queensland.

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A Kurrajong-based painter, Fiona works across oils, acrylics and occasional watercolour, exploring how different media capture light and form. Mostly self-taught, she's been studying at Sydney Art School and a short course at the National Art School, developing her technical skills whilst allowing her artistic voice to emerge naturally.
Her work focuses on the interplay of light and shadow and those quiet moments where illumination reveals texture and depth. Currently, she's drawn to miniature bird studies, finding satisfaction in the intimacy that small-scale work demands. She also enjoys still life painting and occasional landscapes, each offering different ways to explore composition and atmosphere.
Each painting is an opportunity to learn something new about colour, composition, and the particular challenges of her chosen subject. She's less concerned with defining a signature style than with honest observation and the simple pleasure of putting paint to canvas.
Her studio practice is one of exploration and trying techniques, occasionally getting it wrong, and gradually building understanding.
For now, she's content to follow her interests wherever they lead.
Instagram: @feeoncanvas