Magpie at Tacking Point Lighthouse

Whilst visiting Tacking Point Lighthouse near Port Macquarie a group of magpies were hanging about on the safety railing near an icecream van. When ever someone bought an icecream they would launch themselves at the falling crushed nuts. They were so brazen they simply wouldn't move if there were any nuts about. As we walked passed, the magpie stood her ground on the railing and wasn't at all intimidated when I whipped out my camera and said "I'm going to paint you miss". I would have been no further than 30cm away from her when I took several reference photos.

So the subject is the female magpie but I wanted more than that hence the nick name "The painting of a million brush strokes" came about. I wanted the grass, weeds, leaf litter etc., to look real and I found myself painting the background for months. The background is a compound of eight layers of different coloured greenery and wood chips etc. It wouldn't surprise me if I had used a million brush strokes.

I will also include some of the brushes that I have used and worn out in this painting.

Thank you for looking.

Rob Kennedy

I have nick named this painting "The painting of a million brushstrokes.

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I have always loved art from my earliest understanding of it. I started painting at the age of six and rarely stopped. I was influenced early with realism and have tried to replicate life as closely as possible. I love all subjects and I guess that's why I don't paint just a single topic like aviation, marine, wildlife or still life. I try and immerse myself with reflections and creating form using light. I also love painting things that nature has taken a nice chunk out of.

I enjoy the works of Frans Hals‚ as well as the modern masters such as John Seerey-Lester‚ Salvador Dali, Banksy and lately Tjalf Spaarnay and Luigi Benedicenti who are hyperrealist artists.

I have always painted my own reality. I paint what grabs by attention and I've always painted things that were part of my life. That's why you'll see such a broad range of subjects in my paintings such as wine, trains, boats, aircraft and food. I paint what's nearby or relevant to me. The majority of my work is now still life, in particular I like to paint wine.

My work can be found in collections in Australia and worldwide. I'm always grateful for any "likes" given, it helps me feel as though someone has enjoyed my work.

If you would like to work together on a project email me: maknople@gmail.com

Thank you for your time
Rob