Preening for the Ball

Art has a way of giving a voice to the silent. Years ago at a garage sale in
Busselton, I spotted this gorgeous mandolin with its delicate, buttery inlay. Though
its owner had kept it for years, it had never been played. I asked to photograph it,
promising myself it would find its way onto a canvas one day. Today, it finally takes
center stage—not only for music, but as the perfect dressing room for a pair of pink and
grey galahs preparing for their grand debut.
Hanging this in a high-traffic area—like a dining room, entry foyer, or living
space—invites guests to look closer. When visitors comment on the beautiful detail of
the mandolin, you get to share the charming story of the Busselton garage sale, the
instrument that never sang, and how you gave it a new life. It turns the artwork into a
living piece of history in your home.

Follow

Paula Wiegmink Bio 2026

Paula Wiegmink is a multi-award-winning artist and dedicated conservation advocate whose work bridges the gap between the natural world and fine art. Born in Zimbabwe and now based in the coastal town of Dunsborough, Western Australia, Wiegmink’s artistic foundation was laid during a childhood spent on an African farm. Her early years were defined by hours spent observing wildlife from the rafters of animal enclosures-a deep-seated curiosity that remains the heartbeat of her work today.
Before fully committing to the visual arts, Wiegmink enjoyed a distinguished 25-year career in classical ballet. A former dancer with the Rhodesian National Ballet, she became a respected RAD teacher and adjudicator across South Africa and Botswana. This discipline and sense of movement eventually transitioned from the stage to the canvas when she relocated to Australia in 1994. Under the mentorship of the late Carl Sdoya, she mastered oil painting and palette knife techniques, later serving as President of the Alfred Cove Art Society.
Wiegmink is perhaps best known for her "Tears of the Rhino," a painting that has become a global symbol for endangered species. The work served as the emblem for the ‘SAY NO’ poster awareness campaign which was launched in London,UK, garnering signatures from luminaries such as Dr. Jane Goodall, Sir David Attenborough, and Brian May. In 2025, her advocacy expanded to include a global campaign against vivisection, supported by Ricky Gervais.
Her legacy reached new heights—literally—in 2025, when "Tears of the Rhino" was launched to the moon as part of the NASA Lunar Codex. In 2027, her featured episode of the documentary series Put Some Colour in Your Life is scheduled to follow on a SpaceX mission to the lunar surface.
In acknowledgment of her outstanding artistic talent and extraordinary commitment to conservation, Wiegmink was honoured by the Canadian-based organisation ‘Artists For Conservation’, further solidifying her legacy in both art and environmental stewardship.
Wiegmink encourages discussion and engagement through her visual artistic interpretations by seeking to raise awareness of the beauty and fragility of the natural world, through her unique artistic interpretations skilfully blending still life with wildlife in her creations.
Renowned for her unique perspective and dedication to her craft, she continues to inspire audiences globally through her creative expression.
Wiegmink’s work is held in private and corporate collections across five continents. By skilfully blending still life with wildlife, she continues to challenge audiences to reflect on the beauty and fragility of our planet.