Love on the Line
Red-Rumped Parrots (Psephotus haematonotus)
Size 61 cm x 30.5 cm
Oil on canvas board
SOLD
Birds on wire is a recurring theme in my work.
I find great satisfaction in the challenge of creating a truthful portrayal of the gnarled surface of old fenceposts, rusty wire and delicate plumage, not least because I draw upon the remembered sensory experience of each texture.
The contrast of human-made and natural forms is very appealing. Design theory emphasises the value of contrast and harmony, and I closely consider these aspects when designing my art.
I painted this pair of Red-rumped Parrots after observing a small flock of these sociable birds gathering on power lines at dusk near the Murray River, South Australia. They perched in pairs, perhaps to keep warm as wintery night fell. They mate for life, a romantic notion that partly prompted the new owner to purchase this painting at exhibition.
Dr Megan Spiers 