Giclée on paper
Signed and numbered with a certificate of authenticity.
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Absolutely superb quality LIMITED EDITION GICLÉE PRINT.
From an original watercolour painting by Frances McMahon.
IMAGE SIZE: 38.7 x 34.4cm.
(With an additional 5cm border of white all round to assist with framing)
Very low edition of 40.
Printed on 100% cotton 310gsm Canson Infinity Edition Etching.
Original professionally scanned and colour-corrected at an astonishing 600dpi.
Printed using fade-proof archival inks.
They are the closest thing to the original painting at a fraction of the cost. Guaranteed to take your breath away!
Please allow up to 4 weeks delivery, as each print is printed "on demand".
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ARTIST STATEMENT
It would be fair to say the model for this painting found me before I found him! He came swooping out of nowhere. Little did I realise I had come too close to his nest and family. I got the hint that I wasn't wanted and backed far enough away to capture him briefly resting. Wagtails are incredibly fast. I had to take hundreds of photos to find a suitable one as reference.
Painting a pied bird brings unique challenges. Black and white can be somewhat "cold". I chose a warm orange-brown background to bring out the warmth of the afternoon sun and to compliment his "dinner jacket" attire.
Best described as pugnacious, bold and fearless, the Willie Wagtail is instantly recognisable. Rarely sitting still for long, they flick their long tails from side to side seeking prey.
Wagtails are member of the fantail genus Rhipidura, and are the largest of the Australian fantails.
Willie wagtails are highly territorial and can be fearless in defending itheir territory, being known to harass ravens, kookaburras, eagles, dogs and humans!
The familiar alarm call "chicka chicka chicka" is sounded to warn off rivals. They also sing a lovely, liquid song described as "sweet pretty creature"
Wagtails were disliked by Indigenous people in some areas, as they were thought to be eavesdroppers and gossipers, spreading secrets elsewhere.