Australian Reed-warbler Sketch

Australian Reed-warbler, handmade watercolour on Khadi paper, 32 x 19 cm, © Matteo Grilli

Summer's End - Chestnut-breasted Mannikins and Handmade Watercolours Video

Summer's End, handmade watercolours on Fabriano watercolour paper, 45 x 38 cm, 

© Matteo Grilli.

I painted most of this watercolour while demonstrating at the Logan Art Gallery during my last exhibition. A the end of summer, Chestnut-breasted Mannikins gather in large groups including all the young birds. I saw this family of five at Sandy Camp Road park on the eastern Brisbane suburb of Wynnum North.

This video shows how I make my handmade watercolour paints, I hope you enjoy:

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and Shorebirds Banding

Sharp-tailed Sandpipers (Calidris acuminata, Piovanello siberiano) are only about 22 cm yet they accomplish a very long migration twice a year, every year. They spend the southern summer on Australia's mudflats and return to Siberia - northern Russia for the brief northern summer breeding season. They endure many threats during their long journey.

A Sharp-tailed Sandpiper's palette.

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, handmade watercolours on Khadi handmade watercolour paper, 30 x 42 cm, © Matteo Grilli

In October last year I went volunteering during a bird-banding session in Manly, Brisbane organised by Birds Queensland and the Queensland Wader Study Group. The birds were caught with cannon-netting, measured, aged, ringed and banded and then released. Taking part in the process of banding migratory shorebirds has been a fantastic experience.

Lesser Sand Plover

Pacific Golden Plover

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper

Red-necked Stint

For all the artists and art lovers out there, I am running a promotion on my Etsy store at the moment, I am offering free postage for all orders above $30 until the end of June. This promotion includes my Artist's quality handmade watercolour paints.

All the best,

Matteo

Demonstrations at the Gallery

Two more Saturdays left to demonstrate at the International Wildlife in Art 2018 exhibition. I have enjoyed painting and meeting people very much. I will be there on Saturday 21st (Family Fun Day) from 10 to 4 and on Saturday 28th from 10 to 4 for my last demonstration on the closing day of the exhibition. 

Logan Art Gallery, Cnr Wembley Road & Jacaranda Avenue Logan Central Q 4114 Gallery Hours 10am -5pm Tuesday to Saturday.

My desk set up for my demonstration.

Exhibition Update

Gondwana Morning Rain - Highly Commended award

Some photos from the opening night for the International Nature in Art 2018 exhibition, I was glad to see Gondwana Morning Rain (second from the top) receiving a Highly Commended award.

I will be back at the gallery after Easter, every Saturday for the live demonstrations 10-4 until 28/4

at Logan Art Gallery, Cnr Wembley Road & Jacaranda Avenue Logan Central Q 4114 Gallery Hours 10am -5pm Tuesday to Saturday

Upcoming Exhibition: International Nature in Art 2018

I am very excited to present my work during this upcoming exhibition. It is my first exhibition and there will be many other artists from the Queensland Wildlife Artists Society Inc, a society I recently joined as an exhibiting member.

I will be exhibiting eight of my original and framed watercolours and they will be for sale. I will be there at the opening night, see details below, and also on another date in April (to be confirmed) to give a live demonstration.

I hope to see you there!

Follow the link to book for the opening night before the 14th of March.

Pale-yellow Robin

Pale-yellow Robin, hand-made watercolour on hand-made watercolour paper, 25,5 x 25,5 cm, 

©  Matteo Grilli

Grey Fantail

Grey Fantail, watercolour on Khadi paper, 17 x 30 cm, © Matteo Grilli

Australian Painted Lady - a miniature life-size watercolour of a butterfly

Australian Painted Lady, handmade watercolours on Fabriano paper, 13 x 13 cm, © Matteo Grilli

Yellow-faced Honeyeater

Yellow-faced Honeyeater, handmade watercolours on Khadi watercolour paper, 33 x 28 cm, © Matteo Grilli