Tag Archives: Cockatoo art

My painting called “Jacko” is now the label for delicious Korijekup Honey created by Exploration Honey, Harvey, Western Australia.

The land around Harvey was named Korijekup by the Nyoongar people, which means “place of the red-tailed black cockatoo”. Exploration Honey bees have foraged from the forests around Korijekup to produce this beautiful raw honey.

Black Cockatoos have a very special place in our hearts and we need to do everything we can to help them. Exploration Honey have planted tree plantations to help feed the black cockatoos and provided a Cockatube nesting box for them to breed in. All with the assistance of the Peel-Harvey Catchment Council.

Exploration Honey comes from around the South West of Western Australia. They take pride in producing and supplying delicious and healthy honey to the very best locations in their area, ensuring sustainability along the way.

My oil painting of a female Gang-gang Cockatoo called “Cherry Ripe” received an Award of Excellence at Australia’s preeminent bird art competition the Holmes Prize for Realistic Australian Bird Art 2022.

Just to be chosen as one of the 35 competition finalist is a major achievement. To receive an Award of Excellence amongst Australia’s leading bird artists is a great honour and very validating.

“Cherry Ripe” took nearly 7 weeks to paint in oils. She was painted specifically as my entry in this competition.

I have to send a huge thank you to my photographer friend Perry Cho who graciously allowed use of his photo as a reference for my interpretation.

“Chick Pea” my painting of a smiling Carnaby Cockatoo is now the Currambine Primary School Emblem.

Thanks to Natalie Heartcliffe – Art Specialist at Currambine Primary School a print of my painting of “Chick Pea” will be the face that welcomes everyone to the school.

With my permission the print of “Chick Pea” has received a new name “ERIC” which is an acronym to help inspire Currambine Primary School students to use their Excellence, Respect, Integrity and Kindness.

Special thank you to photographer Mark Molinari for graciously providing the reference photo used as inspiration for this painting. Sadly Mark passed away 2022.