It has been nothing short of extraordinary creating Boy and His Kookaburras, especially after a personally difficult few months.
Coming into the studio each day to paint this piece became a kind of soul-grounding ritual. Every time I picked up the brush, a feeling of calm would wash over me.
My dad was particularly intrigued by this painting — he loved the colours and the kookaburras. Even while he was in palliative care, he asked me to show him the progress on my phone. It made my heart sing to know how much he loved it in his final days. He told my sisters he’d come back as a kookaburra to say hi to us. I can’t help but feel he had a hand in those final brushstrokes.
Boy and His Kookaburras is about family and a night out exploring.
A day at the beach is beautiful — the bright sun, the warm yellow sand — but if you’ve ever explored the shore on a hot summer’s night, you’ll know how magical it can be. The waves shimmer, the stars twinkle, and the sand feels cool between your toes. This little boy is out exploring the beach at night with his family. It’s their place.
Each kookaburra has its own set of colourful wings and its own place in the family — bringing their unique qualities, singing, flying, and laughing together. They share a bond that can’t be broken. They come from a long line of incredible kookaburras who’ve gone before them, passed loved ones who now appear as shooting stars. They remind the little boy that he’ll always belong, that family will always keep him connected — no matter how far they fly or in what direction.
A company of gannets is shown plummeting into the ocean to feed — a symbol of abundance. I’ve only seen this twice in my life, and both times it was spectacular, like fireworks on the sea. Birds dive-bombing in unison, a reminder that there is enough for everyone.
Flying fish swirl in a circle above the little boy, reminding him to follow his heart and passions, to lead a full and beautiful life, and to dive deep into who he is, every single day.
The butterflies remind him to be brave. There will be times of doubt, struggle, and darkness — but these will be the moments he learns the most about himself. They’re reminders to stay true to who he is, to keep an open heart, and to lead with compassion and curiosity.
The turtles symbolise longevity and wisdom. Like elders, they remind us to slow down and move gently through life.
There’s so much to take in. So much to learn.
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