Pink Cockatoo

A detailed watercolour illustration of a pink cockatoo, showcasing a blend of realistic detail and artistic expression. The overall style leans towards a contemporary illustrative approach, with a touch of botanical illustration influence evident in the meticulous rendering of the bird's feathers and features. The brushwork technique is characterized by delicate washes and fine linework, suggestive of the watercolour medium. The artist has employed layering to achieve depth and texture, particularly noticeable in the varying shades of pink and grey used for the plumage and beak. The colour palette is soft and harmonious, dominated by pink and grey tones, creating a gentle and inviting atmosphere. The composition is focused on a close-up portrait of the cockatoo, with the bird's head and upper body positioned centrally, which enhances the viewer's engagement with the subject. The treatment of the surface gives the image a smooth finish, a characteristic of watercolour techniques. The artist's attention to detail, the use of a limited palette, and the precision of the brushwork give the image a delicate and refined aesthetic, suitable for nature-themed art or illustration.

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About Me!

I grew up in the small village of Perthville about 12 miles south of Bathurst, NSW, Australia. The first 11 years of my life were spent on a farm where I developed an affinity with the Australian bush.

I didn't start to seriously paint until high school where I studied art as an elective subject. At the completion of High school I entered the field of computing and have had many technical and managerial roles since that time. Needless to say, art took a back seat to life.

At the age of 45 I met a wonderful woman who I ended up marrying. Debbie-Lee revitalized my interest in drawing and painting, and encouraged me at every turn. She is my muse. I begun with some drawing classes where I developed my interest in charcoal as a medium. I also played with watercolor and acrylics, but it wasn't until I discovered oils, that I really found my comfort zone.

I like to think of myself as a bit of an eclectic artist. My day job gave me the luxury of not having to paint for the wider audience of consumers so I could try different subjects, styles, mediums etc. Depending on my mood at the time I alternated between portraiture, the human figure, still life, Birds & Animals and Australian landscapes. Sprinkled here and there are some frivolous works that I do occasionally just to break the monotony.

I am almost completely self-taught. In 1998, I completed a three-month figure drawing class at the Workshop Arts Center at Willoughby, Sydney, under the tutelage of Ros Deveaux. I also started but didn't finish an acrylics class at the same centre with Sarah Aylward. I also started but did not finish a ten-week introduction to oil painting at the Royal Art Society, North Sydney.

Other than that, I have just experimented with different mediums and techniques. I'm still learning (I will always be learning).

I now live at Forster on the NSW Mid North Coast.

I hope you enjoy what you see.

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Pete

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Exhibitions and Shows!​

2000 - Deerbrook Gallery, Humble TX, USA (solo)

2004 - Art House Gallery, Sydney, Australia (solo)

2012 - Beattie Street Gallery, Balmain, NSW, Australia

2013 - Lentil as Anything, Newtown, Australia (solo)

2017 - Carre De Artiste Gallery, Paris, France

2017 - Almost Naked & Nude, Hallidays Point, Australia

2019 - Gallery 109, Manly, NSW, Australia