The Holmes Prize for Realistic Australian Bird Art 2019

Eastern Spinebill

Eastern Spinebill, 30 x 42 cm, Handmade watercolour on Khadi paper, © Matteo Grilli

The Eastern Spinebill is one of my favourite birds, I particularly like its colours and pattern, I believe the three primary colours making up the plumage of this bird represent the prefect palette for me. A Subdued blue and red and an earthy yellow. A minimal palette for this winter visitor in Brisbane, this bird in particular was seen at Gold Creek Reservoir, a favourite Birding place for me.

Sketchbook showing palette tests.

I would like to invite you to visit my new blog on the bird-life of Banks Street Reserve, a place I regularly visit for bird watching. At the end of 2017 I decided to adopt Banks Street Reserve as my birding patch. Living only at five minutes drive and only cycled by the creek a few times years ago, I had a feeling the place may have held some surprises. So my New Year resolution for 2018 was to visit Banks Street Reserve at least once a week. Surprising it was indeed... 

Mulga Parrot

I completed this painting of a male Mulga Parrot during the Australia Wild 2018 exhibition last month at the Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens. It reminds me of an amazing trip to the beautiful dry inland Australia, Alice Springs and surrounding areas. I love the rough texture of this Khadi handmade watercolour paper.

Mulga Parrot, 30 x 42 cm, Handmade watercolour on Khadi paper, © Matteo Grilli

Australia Wild 2018 Exhibition

Australia Wild 2018  exhibition has been a great success, we had many visitors and it was such a pleasure to meet other artists, share their processes as well as meeting the public and answering all their questions. I was told more than once how my work was an inspiration to some, which I found flattering and I felt very thankful for it.

The Pale-headed Rosella watercolour was awarded the People's Choice Award and all but one of my paintings sold. 

I had lots of fun while demonstrating, here is an unfinished Mulga Parrot.

Thank you to the Queensland Wildlife Artists Society members and volunteers and to all the visitors from the Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens.

Upcoming Exhibition: Australia Wild and Old Schoolhouse Gallery

I will be exhibiting a selection of  five original framed watercolour paintings at the Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens exhibition Australia Wild, 8-11 November, The Auditorium, with many other members of the Queensland Wildlife Artists Society.

I will also have two paintings exhibited for the whole month of November at the Old Schoolhouse Gallery 124-126 Shore Street North, Cleveland Point, QLD 4163, open Friday, Saturday and Sunday 9.30 to 4.30.

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