Dr Megan Spiers

Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus)

inspiration

While taking a break from the highway, I sat under shady trees and listened to a flock of budgerigars clamouring overhead. The thing that struck me most, apart from the wonder that small birds can survive this wilderness, is how invisible they were.

Such bright and patterned plumage is the perfect camouflage.

Black and green mimics the fall of light and shade, of leaves twisting in the breeze. Yellow, green and blue echoes the foliage of ghost gums and spinifex, mulga and mallee country. This painting features Spinifex and Melaleuca.

For some, making the epic journey across Australia is a once-in-a-lifetime journey.

Central Australia is a place of extremes. It should never be underestimated. That said, I have been fortunate to cross Australia north-south and east-west on numerous expeditions, most notably on a Harley, either my own or borrowed.

artist’s process

• I use my own photographs as reference, of spinifex and sky, tree trunks and the wide horizon
• I also borrowed a budgie and set up the aviary near my easel so I could sketch the bird from life