Budgie, Tea and Tim Tams

Part of a series I have made exploring elements of Australian Nostalgia. These slightly quirky compositions have included elements of Australian culture, animals and plants.

This fun piece showcases the budgie, as requested by my son who has two of his own. Along with Geraldton Wax flowers that we have growing on our property, this picture also celebrates the culture of afternoon tea and the classic Australian snack, the Tim Tam chocolate biscuit. Go and look up "Tim tam slam" for a bit of Aussie culture if you have not partaken of it.

Created in creamy gouache, with a delicious combination pinks and blues on thick, cotton paper, this image is a pastel party, perfect to include as a fun lift to your room and will no doubt be a talking point. Mounted in a stock frame, with a white mat and classic, light oak, wood-look profile this painting is ready to hang and will complement many interior decor styles.

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With a maker for a father and a mother whose pockets were perpetually stuffed with foraged seeds, it's only to be expected Polla would end up as a creative inspired by nature. 
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She holds a Fine Art degree from the University of Western Australia, a diploma in interior design, and spent many years as a graphic designer specialising in screen printing and print media. Adding an unexpected twist to her career, she is also a qualified Personal Fitness Trainer—as it's importance of stepping away from the easel every now and then.

Polla’s early work featured bold acrylics, exploring themes of commercialism and pop culture. However, her artistic journey took a profound turn in 2009 following the sudden loss of her partner of 15 years, just months after the birth of their first child. After pausing her creative practice for a year, she returned to painting, seeking healing and connection through art. She rediscovered her roots in nature, this time working primarily in the delicate medium of watercolour.

Today, Polla’s work reflects the quiet beauty of life and nature, encompassing still life, portraiture, animals, birds, and flowers. After years of freelancing as a graphic designer and commissioned artist, she is now focused on developing her personal practice, with several exciting projects underway.

Polla lives with her “second chance” husband and blended family on a small rural property in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt, just beyond Perth. Surrounded by the beauty of her environment, she draws daily inspiration from the simplicity of country life. She aspires to Minimalism and continues to explore new artistic possibilities whenever she can.