Australian Native Flora
Australian flora and fauna are unique. Everyone knows we have weird animals. Some who hop and keep their babies in pouches, some who bite and sting, and even a couple of mammals who lay eggs. But our plants are equally unusual. Australia’s ancient soil has been depleted of nutrients over the millennia. Rainfall is extremely low across most of the country, and Australian native plants have had to adapt to harsh, unpredictable conditions.
Many have evolved to conserve water. This can include deep roots and reduced, thin, waxy or hairy leaves. Many are adapted to bushfires. They may have thick protective bark and buds that grow from the trunk after fire. Others have seed pods that only open after extreme heat.
Contrastingly, we also have the oldest living rainforest on earth, and a range of plants that have adapted to wet, dark conditions. Large, dark green leaves absorb more light. Leaves often point downwards, allowing water to run off quickly and reducing the growth of algae. Climbing plants grow up to the canopy, and epiphytes grow on trunks high in the forest.
More Australian natives are pollinated by birds and small mammals than anywhere else in the world. Our honeyeater birds see red whilst insects are more attracted to blues and mauves. Hence we have many red native flowers. They also have sturdy stems that can support an animal’s weight, and flower structures that allow larger pollinators to feed on them.
I hope my botanic art helps people to appreciate the unique flora we have, and the need to protect it.
NSW Waratah
Telopea speciosissima
Coloured pencil on archival paper
Paper size: 47 x 35 cm
One of six artworks from the series awarded a Silver Gilt Medal at the Royal Horticulturakl Society Botanical Art and Photography Show, London, 2022.
Red Flowering Gum
Corymbia ficifolia
Coloured pencil on archival paper
Paper size: 47 x 35 cm
One of six artworks from the series awarded a Silver Gilt Medal at the Royal Horticultural Society Botanical Art and Photography Show, London, 2022.
Bottlebrush
Callistemon citrinus
Coloured pencil on archival paper
Paper size :47 x 35 cm
One of six artworks from the series awarded a Silver Gilt Medal at the Royal Horticultural Society Botanical Art and Photography Show, London, 2022.
‘Exhibiting Excellence in Coloured Pencil Award’, SBA’s Plantae, London, 2023.
Firewheel
Stenocarpus sinuatus
Coloured pencil on archival paper
Paper size: 47 x 35 cm
One of six artworks awarded a Silver Gilt Medal at the Royal Horticultural Society Botanical Art and Photography Show, London, 2022.
‘‘Certificate of Botanical Merit‘ and ‘Exhibiting Excellence in the Depiction of Wild Flora’, SBA’s Plantae, London, 2021.
Little Kurrajong
Brachychiton bidwillii
Coloured pencil on archival paper
Paper size: 47 x 35 cm
One of six artworks from the series awarded a Silver Gilt Medal at the Royal Horticultural Society Botanical Art and Photography Show, London, 2022.
Kangaroo Paw
Anigozanthos rufus
Coloured pencil on archival paper
Paper size: 47 x 35 cm
One of six artworks from the series awarded a Silver Gilt Medal at the Royal Horticultural Society Botanical Art and Photography Show, London, 2022.
‘Best in Show’, Botanical Art Society of Australia Exhibition, Perth, 2023.
Australian Christmas Bells
Blandfordia grandiflora
Coloured pencil on archival paper
Paper size: 47 x 35 cm
‘Imposter in Red’
A weed amongst the natives
Coloured pencil on archival paper
Paper size: 29 x 42 cm
Bottlebrush
Calistemon viminalis
Coloured pencil on archival paper
Paper size: 41 x 29 cm
Pink Flowering Gum
Eucalyptus leucoxylon
Coloured pencil on archival paper
Paper size: 41 x 28 cm
Fruits of Australia
A collection of native fruits
Coloured pencil on archival paper
Paper size: 49 x 42 cm
Blackbean Seeds
Castanospermum australe
Coloured pencil on archival paper
Paper size: 29 x 31 cm
Illawarra Plum
Podocarpus elatus
Coloured pencil on paper
Paper size: 31 x 27 cm
Illawarra Flame Tree
Brachychiton acerifolius
Coloured pencil on archival paper
Paper size: 54 x 43 cm