Inspiration: My local Kookaburra, Karl, always makes sure he has the best perch in the garden to catch all the critters. Lucky for me, his favourite spot is just outside my studio window! It was a joy to be able to capture his likeness in a sweet portrait of our Merry King.

This piece forms part of a themed collection that is focused on protected, threatened, and endangered Australian species. Through the expansion of European settlement, many species have been displaced by human encroachment, changing fire patterns, victims of predation, or have been exposed to disease. Raising awareness remains as the most significant challenge in the effort to reduce these possible outcomes. These represent the absence of the existence of wildlife in their natural environments.

This series has specifically utilised heat, flame, soot and watercolour to achieve the varying colours present in the finished artwork.