$25,000.00
Natalie’s Inspiration: “I have wanted to paint one of these spectacular birds for many years. Part of the reason for holding off on tackling this magnificent parrot is that I knew it would take more time, patience and concentration than anything else I painted in my artistic journey to date. I was determined to make sure every feather was painted exactly where it’s meant to be, not leaning on the term “artistic interpretation ” but rather focusing on “scientific correctness “. Being mostly a self-taught artist, I truly feel that I have grown in leaps and bounds with this one!
I photographed this beautiful cockatoo at Blackbutt Reserve in Newcastle in the Hunter Valley a few years ago. This Reserve has a large walk-through aviary with beautiful walkways and viewing platforms to a number of smaller aviaries amongst towering eucalyptus trees. I’m so pleased that I was able to use all my own reference photos for this painting.
Another reason for wanting to paint this cockatoo species is to share awareness. Red-tailed Black Cockatoos are listed as a critically endangered bird in NSW. They face threats from habitat loss and degradation, including the loss of old-growth eucalyptus trees that are critical for nesting and hollows. There is also a decline in specific food sources like Stringybark seeds and Buloke trees (aka ‘bull-oak’, which is part of the casuarina family).
My vision for this painting is to raise awareness for Red-tailed Black Cockatoos and to educate through my art…. to start a conversation about embracing the beauty of nature and habitat conservation, then in turn celebrating it!
‘Watching You, Watching Me’ is a special painting and I hope it evokes feelings of strength, resilience, determination and beauty in a fragile world.”
Natalie’s real love is painting small animals, native to Australia. She completed her Associate Diploma of Fine Arts at Newcastle University. She was born on 16th April 1971 and is a young artist with a bright future. Natalie has over 70 images and counting reproduced onto mugs, trays, jigsaws, tea towels, placemats and coasters, distributed throughout the world by giftware company Ashdene Australia.
She is the author and illustrator of 32 children’s books and has her work reproduced onto calendars, prints, tea towels, jigsaw’s, placemats, coasters and materials introducing her work to a much broader cross section of the public rather than just the lovers of fine art. She has won several International Art Awards. Natalie remains one of Australia’s highest profile wildlife artists. Natalie’s works will continue to increase in value are a great investment.
Original painting by Natalie Jane Parker
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