This Cockatoo features quite a bit in my work lately. Each time I paint him, he becomes more abstracted and graphical and has become my 'signature cockatoo'. I begin my art process with sketches from life that slowly evolve over time to become more and more stylised. This cockatoo is a perfect example of a subject that has been re-worked until it is recognisably my work.

At the end of last summer I snapped off a piece of frangipani from my tree and popped it in a big vase. It lasted for most of the winter on my dining table and made me feel summery even when it was grey and miserable outside. I took plenty of sketches from my 'specimen' and you will also see it featured quite a bit in my work from the past year. For this painting I've used a vibrant colour combination of black with lush emerald green foliage, and a touch of bright red for the cheeks and tail feathers of the Cocky.

I like to paint with Chinese calligraphy brushes, varying the paint consistency from thick and opaque to a watery wash which results in lovely random watermarks on the work. The intricate white line work and mark making over the flat two dimensional forms is the part of my painting process I enjoy the most. Every painting of mine includes many hours of thin line work created with a small brush and white paint. Most evenings I can be found in my studio with a glass of wine adding tiny white marks to my paintings.

Cockatoos feature lots in my work, because they are so awesome. We often hear large flocks of them circling the skies above our house at dusk and screeching, we always stop what we're doing to go outside and marvel at them, it's such a treat since we live in the inner city.

This large bright painting would make a beautiful statement on your wall.