Johanna’s Forestview 2019

This has to be one of the most romantic commissions I have ever had the privilege to be a part of. The brief was to include the recipient’s favourite birds using her photos on a ring of teacups, it was to be her birthday present. It turns out that the client met his wife in the tropics and these were her favourite birds. He snuck me the photos which she had taken herself of the birds without her knowledge. To date, this is still the largest painting I have ever undertaken being 100cm x 120cm. It had so many challenges, I had to buy a new painting board to place over my desk so I could fit the paper on it, even trying to photograph it after I had finished it was not without it’s challenges, as you can see. But I loved it. It was the most wonderful gift, and I had the wonderful conversation with the birthday girl who had just received this gift. It always delights me when I speak to like minded people, and I could tell she loved her birds just as much as I do. It was an absolute delight to paint this for her. I am honoured that I was entrusted to do this for her. Thank you birthday girl, thank you client, thank you Michael Reid Sydney for organising it, it was so much fun!
Johanna’s Forestview 2019
Watercolour on handmade 100% cotton rag paper
Paper size 100cm x 120cm
Private Collection