ACEO - More Mini Bird Art

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"Sparrow in Rain" is a digital painting.
"Wagtail on Fence" is a photograph.
Because my computer is in for repairs (Ive got a temporary machine) I have been limited in the last few weeks on the quantity of artwork Im producing. These are my 2 newest.

SOLD - Original Art

Usually we specialise in editions, but occasionally we sell a once-off image. Sometimes it is a quick pencil sketch or occasionally it might be a rare artist proof print.

This is a small 2.5x3.5inch ACEO (art collector card). It is a quick pencil sketch of a green tree frog.

The coloured Carolina Wrens were part of a work in progress. It was a
one-off "artist Proof" print.

FROG - Pencil sketches

A few pencil sketches based on one of the green tree frogs in my yard.

BIRD - Kookaburra Art

Title: Hunter River Kookaburra
The background is the river near my home and the buildings in the distance are my local shops

Title: At home among the gum trees
The cheeky kookaburra with its beak slightly open, teases the viewers anticipation of the next laugh about to erupt.

Title: Kookaburra Chorus
Three kookaburras perched in the forest.

Australian backyards are hosts to many amazing native and introduced bird species. I am lucky enough to have a few natives that frequent my yard and neighbourhood. These three images are from a series of paintings which explores species observed at or near my home in the Hunter Valley on the eastern coast of Australia.

A kookaburras is a forest kingfisher famous for killing snakes. It is also known as The Laughing Jackass. Often I hear and see kookaburras on the overhead power lines or resting in the tall trees. They are best known for their unmistakable loud call which is like hysterical human laughter. It is the highlight of my day to hear them, their laughter sounds guaranteed to bring a smile to my face as my eyes scan the neighbouring trees to capture a fleeting glance at them.

Since ancient times birds have been regarded as mediators between heaven and earth because of their associations with the sky. They are seen as embodiments of immaterial things, particularly the soul. Wings are often associated with heavenly beings the most obvious is angels.

Angels boldly laugh
as immortal souls fly.
Flapping wings swoop
ending the serpents reign.

These three images were created by hand drawing/painting directly onto a computer using an electronic pen and a digital drawing tablet. They are original works which are copyright protected. The works are for sale as 11x16 inch prints on high quality artist paper. Copyright Hexagonal Mandala Australia 2009

ACEO - Miniature Bird Art

ACEO refers to "Art Card Edition or Original".
They are 2.5x3.5inch collector cards (the same size as baseball cards). ACEO's represent an affordable way to collect miniature contemporary art pieces. Their size makes it easy to frame the images or display them in an album. These are a few of the miniature bird ACEO images that I've created. Each is digitally hand painted directly onto the computer and presented as a limited edition, each print is an original not a reproduction. Clockwise left to right - cockatoos, silver eye, blue fairy wren, emu & chick, heron, yellow breasted robin and in the center are a pair of variegated wren.

FROG - Brown Tree Frog

This artwork was hand drawn/painted by Di Mathews directly onto a computer using an electronic pen and digital drawing board.

It shows one of the small brown tree frogs that frequent my back yard. Unsure of the viewer it sits coiled ready to spring. Its animated pose adds tension to the image, while the muscle tone and underlying physical structures adds to the realism.
In the mythology of many cultures frogs are linked to cleansing, healing and creative powers. The change from egg to tadpole then metamorphosis to frog is often used to symbolise the awakening of ones creativity and recognising one's own power of adaptation. A frog is a symbolic reminder of our own ability to grow and mature when faced with difficult situations. A strong frog population is an indication of a healthy ecology due to their sensitivity to changes and toxins in their environment. Frogs therefore are naturally symbols of a peaceful, harmonious coexistence and interdependence with nature. Frogs because of this sensitivity serve as a strong lesson about our own interdependence within a fragile eco-system. Teaching a connection with the earth and everything on it. Sadly numbers of frogs now seem to be dwindling.

Folk wisdom tells that dreaming of a frog means
good fortune, happiness and great friendships.
May your dreams be filled with frogs...

This image is part of a series of frog illustrations, species common to where I live. It is available for sale as a print on high quality artist paper.

BIRD - Australian Magpie

This artwork was hand drawn/painted by Di Mathews directly onto a computer using an electronic pen and digital drawing board.
It shows two juvenile Magpies, known for their melodious song. As a child I associated the call with school holidays at the local lake, bring woken every morning to their sounds. We now have a family of these living in the tree behind our house. Who are happy to be hand fed.
This image is part of a series of backyard birds, species common to where I live. It is available for sale as a print on high quality artist paper.

BIRD - Cuckoo Shrike

This artwork was hand drawn/painted by Di Mathews directly onto a computer using an electronic pen and digital drawing board.
It shows different views of a juvenile Black Faced Cuckoo Shrike. This bird was brought to us when local kids found it fallen from its nest. It is still too young to fly. As it matures the bird will loose its' grey pattern which will be replaced by an all-over smooth, silver body and a bold black face. The plant that it is perched on is a Jade tree, commonly thought to be lucky.
This image is part of a series of backyard birds, species common to where I live. It will soon be available for sale as an 11x16inch print on high quality artist paper.