"Cass" the Koala

The "usual suspect" when you think of Australian wildlife - the Koala. It's so sad to think that they are endangered now due to loss of habitat, not only from the horrendous fires we've been experiencing but also urban development and forestry practices. Not to mention their other problem with Chlamydia. This is "Cass" and was inspired by a real-life encounter with a koala at the Birdland Animal Park on the South Coast. It's remarkable how wirey their fur is - not at all what I expected.

It was made with Pan Pastels and Pastel Pencils on sanded A3 Canson Mi-Teintes Tex paper. It comes matted, framed and ready-to-hang with D-hooks and picture wire attached.

The image size in the mat is 34.5cm (w) x 25cm (h). The frame is 53cm (w) x 43.5cm (h).

The frame has natural light timber edges, and the mat is white. 10% of any profit made from the sale of this artwork is donated to the Australian Conservation Council to help with their environment and ecology projects.

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Nyree is a local Canberra artist who finds inspiration in the natural environment, with flowers and wildlife prominent in her work. She enjoys using a variety of mediums and techniques to bring her subjects to life: predominantly using pan-pastels, acrylics and textural mixed-media.

Nyree believes that art can play a valuable role in promoting nature conservation and hopes that her work can contribute to this cause, which is close to her heart. To this end, she is currently working on an extensive series of Australian Wildlife Portraits, particularly focusing on endangered animals. She also enjoys the challenge of commissioned pet-portraits, working closely with people who wish to have a special artwork created to capture the unique personalities of their furry companions.

Nyree is a member of the Artists Society of Canberra and the Queanbeyan Art Society. She frequently exhibits in Canberra and at the monthly QAS exhibitions, at which she has been awarded the following prizes:

• 2nd Prize, Acrylics, Queanbeyan Leagues Club Exhibition, 2014, for “Banksia Serrata”.
• 1st Prize, Animal Portraiture, “Drawings, Portraits and Miniatures” Exhibition, 2014, for “Chevy”.
• 1st Prize, Pastels, Queanbeyan City Council Exhibition, 2015, for “Mr. Charming the Meerkat”.
• 1st Prize, Pastels, Queanbeyan Leagues Club Exhibition, 2016, for “Twinkle-Toes the Brushtail Possum”.
• 2nd Prize, Pastels, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council Exhibition, 2016, for “Ambrose the Platypus”.
• 1st Prize, Animal Portraiture, “Drawings, Portraits and Miniatures” Exhibition, 2017, for “Dot the Eastern Quoll”.
• 1st Prize, Pastels, “Splash of Milk Art Award”, 2017, for “Billy” the Bilby.
• 2nd Prize, Mixed Media, Queanbeyan Leagues Club Exhibition, 2018, for “Strelizia Paradise”.
• 1st Prize, Pastels, Queanbeyan Leagues Club Exhibition, 2019, for “Bam Bam the Gentoo Penguin”.

Website: https://creativenature.art