ORIGINAL ART – ‘Black Beauty’, Currawong

Description

‘Black Beauty’

2023
Ink and watercolour
250mm x 250mm
by Shannon Dwyer

Certificate of Authenticity information:

‘Black Beauty’ was created using a traditional nib dip pen and ink, along with professional-grade watercolours executed on 425gsm 100% cotton rag watercolour paper. This original artwork includes the ‘Shannon Dwyer Original’ embossment and hand-penned signature validating it as an original artwork of Shannon Dwyer.

The melodious call of the Currawong is a daily occurrence in Shannon’s backyard – which she absolutely loves! The fiercely intense and intelligent yellow eyes, contrasted by the glossy black of its feathers and the regal elegance of its long black and white tail were a combo Shannon’s creative eye has been wanting to capture for some time now!  

Pied Currawongs are found throughout eastern Australia, from northern QLD to Victoria, but absent from Tasmania. They are considered significant animals in many Indigenous cultures and feature in a number of creation stories and traditional beliefs. Famous for its “curra-wong” call, their other vocalisations include loud ringing calls, gurgles and whistles, which they also use to mark out their territory.  Preferring forests and woodlands, this predator has adapted well to urbanization and can be found in parks and gardens as well as rural woodland. Roosting, nesting and the bulk of foraging take place in trees, in contrast with the ground-foraging behaviour of its relative, the Australian magpie. The Currawong is an omnivorous and opportunistic feeder, eating fruit and berries as well as preying on small lizards, insects, caterpillars, juvenile birds and bird
eggs, although they may take healthy adult birds up to the size of a crested pigeon on occasion. Prey may be stored in a ‘larder’ (hung on a hook or in a tree fork or crevice) and either eaten straight away or, in the case of larger prey, over a period of time. The hook on their large beak is used to shred/pull apart their prey. Currawongs have excellent eyesight and hearing. Their sharp sight is used to search for and catch prey that might be hiding or moving quickly. Additionally, it’s also helpful to avoid obstacles whilst flying. They have successfully adapted to living in suburban areas and as a result their numbers are growing. This is because food sources are abundant – both human and natural. Conservation Status: Least Concern.

*Artwork price includes signed original artwork, Certificate of Authenticity and free delivery within Australia*

Artwork is unframed so you don’t pay unnecessary freight costs and will be able to choose the frame of your liking.
This piece will be delivered in a large reinforced postage tube, rolled securely in (and protected by) acid-free tissue paper.

Framing tips and suggestions:
This piece is best ‘float-mounted’ and framed behind glass.
‘Float-mounting’ allows the paper to have a bit of ‘freedom’ which watercolour paper often needs as its rarely perfectly ‘flat’. By ‘mounting’ the artwork, it showcases the raw edges of the watercolour paper and subtle wave of the paper to enhance the the fact that its an original artwork with delicious ‘imperfections’.