Little Corella on Jacaranda

Little Corella on Jacaranda, watercolour on paper, 30 x 37 cm, © Matteo Grilli

Eastern Water Dragon

Eastern Water Dragon,
pencil and watercolour on paper,
26 x 34 cm,
© Matteo Grilli

Base pencil drawing just before adding watercolour

Eastern Water Dragons are a common sight along Brisbane waterways. Before and during the breeding season it's easy to see males fighting for supremacy. Sometimes they like to bask in the sun on branches overhanging water, if they feel threatened they will drop down in the water and swim away with their head out of the water or totally submerged. 

Koala

New Book Release: Watercolour Explorations on Australian Wildlife Vol.1

I am very happy to announce the recent release of my self-published book Watercolour Explorations on Australian Wildlife Vol.1, 90 pages, 7 × 7 in / 18 × 18 cm, available in soft cover, hard cover with dust jacket or hard cover image wrap and as an eBook.

  'After witnessing the beauty of Nature, often rises a compelling need to capture its fleeting essence to make it visible once again, to linger on that beauty, giving it that little bit more permanence allowed by art. My ultimate goal was to draw the attention to that beauty and to share it. Watercolour explorations on Australian Wildlife is a tribute to nature. It is also a collection of watercolours and drawings completed between 2010 and 2013 in and around Brisbane, Australia.'

 Watercolour Explorations on Australian Wildlife Vol.1 would make a perfect gift for anyone interested in Australian wildlife and nature, birds, natural history, watercolour art, birdwatching or travel, for grown ups and children alike. By clicking on the link above you will be able to see a preview of the book. Feel free to share it with your contacts. 

Thank you. 

MG

Sleeping Koala

One of my latest works, Sleeping Koala, watercolour on paper, 25 x 25 cm.

A Horse named Gemma

Gemma

After coming back from my latest trip to Italy last June, I decided to make a portrait of my sister's horse named Gemma. To me this watercolour represents a link to my past, when I lived in the country, and when my love for nature and art started.

   This will be my last newsletter for 2013, so I would like to thank very much all the people who in one way or another supported my creative journey this year.

   If you would like to send me some pictures of how you framed or arranged the artworks you purchased from me, please feel free to do so, you can email the photos to matteogrilliart@gmail.com, I would really like to see where they ended up to and I'd like to put the best photos together and share them online to give people some inspiration on how my artwork can be used, of course only if you agree to share corners of your house on the web.

   Thank you very much again to all the followers, I wish you a very happy holiday season and all the best for the New Year.

MG

Australian Wildlife Art Christmas Ideas...

Southern Angle-headed Dragon

What about supporting independent art for Christmas this year ? My shop is currently being daily updated with new items:

1. a full range of 24 A5 (5x8'') and A4 (7x12'') prints;
2. a range of 12 A3 (11x16'') prints;
3. worldwide free shipping is available for all original artworks;
4. greeting cards;
5. original and printed bookmarks;
6. Second hand artist's watercolour paints.

    Please remember that when you buy my products you're not only supporting independent art but also the charity associations I support: Australian Birdlife and ANTaR.

    Best,

    MG

Southern Angle-headed Dragon

Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is a fifty five hectares subtropical rainforest overlooking the Glasshouse Mountains. Entering a rainforest always feels like entering a secret world of new smells, colours and sounds. Just like when entering a cathedral, it comes natural to speak softly, if speaking at all.  It is very peaceful, and before you realise it you are surrounded by Red-legged Pandemelons criss-crossing your walking track, Yellow-throated Scrubwrens hiding in the undergrowth and rainforest pigeons, doves and parrots calling from the high canopy of old trees.

And then what a surprise! You may come across this Southern Angle-headed Dragon, Hypsilurus spinipes resting on a post in front of a Red Cedar, Toona ciliata.

All original artworks available on my store are now shipped worldwide at no cost... just thinking about Christmas.

Best,

Matteo

A Baby Bush-stone Curlew

Baby Bush-stone Curlew, watercolour on paper, 28x28 cm, 2013, © Matteo Grilli 2013

I came across a family of Bush-stone Curlews at the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, the parents were protective but not aggressive, they were keeping their 18 cm chick at a safe distance from people.

Pigments used: top to bottom, Prussian Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Perylene Maroon, Burnt Umber, Raw Umber

See older posts about the Bush-stone Curlew here.

Buy greeting cards of this fascinating Australian bird here.

The Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize

Feathers of Australian Birds

This original artwork was selected among the finalists for the Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize. The exhibition of finalists' artworks is now on display at the South Australian Museum until 8 September 2013. Follow this link to see winners and finalists' works. All original artworks are for sale. And if you really want to buy this image but can't afford the original, there are prints and greeting cards now available.

Work in progress

The framed artwork just before being packed and shipped to Adelaide.