Guardians of the Evening Sky – SOLD

Guardians of the Evening Sky (Pair Red Tail Black Cockatoos) Original Acrylic on Linen 55cm x 75cm – SOLD

Stephen’s Inspiration: “Creating the idea for this painting was to create a visual representation of the beauty that we often forget about. The beauty that lives amongst the rugged landscape. A land that is exposed and never left untouched by the enduring hot summer sun. Perched on a rough old branch, the two red-tailed black cockatoos sit close, as if they’ve always known this spot.

The female keeps a steady watch, feathers ruffled edged in gold and ash, tail glowing deep red and orange like embers that rise from a fire. Beside it, the male leans in, quieter, softer in colour, blending with bark and shadow. There’s no rush between them—just the easy kind of company that comes from sharing the same country, the same seasons. They’ve flown over wide paddocks and dry creek beds, past ironbark and gum, through heat that hums and winds that carry stories. Out there, the land is big and often empty. But here, on this branch, it feels settled. Now and then, one shifts, the other follows. Not copying—just knowing. The sort of rhythm you don’t think about. The sky stretches above them, the light turns burnt orange, and for a moment everything holds still. Tomorrow they’ll lift off again, sweeping out across the bush. But they’ll come back. They always do”.

Original painting by Stephen Bennett