Magpie

When the requests came through for a Magpie illustration, I just brushed them off as growing up walking to school I was terrified of these swooping birds. They would cluck so close to my ear, definitely helping me to get to school on time!!!!

But then my darling mum mentioned how much she loves Magpies, she feeds them and they come down and are very comfortable in her presence. 

You see Magpies are very family oriented, they mate for life and mating partners are usually together for their entire lives. So romantic!!
Once they find a suitable patch, they will stay there forever — up to 20 years. 

Once a magpie gets to know you and judges you to be a nice person, you will have earned a friend for life. They are also excellent mimics, they'll impersonate a range of other birds and even car alarms, dogs and cameras.
So intelligent and their gorgeous song just oozes the Australian Bush.

They're a gardener's dream, a cyclist's nightmare

I created this beauty whilst relaxing on a Cruise Ship, using a variety of lead pencils up to an 8B, I then contemplated if it even needed colour. I'm super happy that I chose to add a hint of watercolours and gouache, I think i captured the fluffiness of those feathers perfectly.