Wildlife artist Fiona Lumsden puts massive quantities of time and effort into crafting and hand-painting complex bird posters.
When talked to just recently Fiona said: “After almost fifty years studying and painting Australian birds, I lastly made it to the Island to enjoy your fantastic birds for the very first time in 2016. It was, at the time, a recovery check out to recuperate from a recent family catastrophe…..
I fell quickly in love with the Island and its birds. I had actually long understood it was a fantastic location for bird enthusiasts to check out. Way back in the ‘80s, I had been commissioned to draw illustrations of the endangered Woodhen for a Taronga Zoo exhibit. As I hadn’t existed then, it was extremely tough to think the presents for the birds. Time to complete the understanding space…
Stepping out of the airplane for the very first time, listed below the towering mountains with ancient-eyed, flightless Woodhens fossicking along the airport roadway, it seemed like going back into a Jurassic Park occupied by feathery (if rather more small) descendants of the dinosaurs.
After a life time of going after birds in the wide-open areas of mainland Australia, or getting ill on sea-birding ocean journeys, it was wonderfully simple to study Island forest birds or check out the dynamic nests of nesting seabirds on Lord Howe.
After discovering my craft painting specific bird pictures, in recent years I have ‘spread my wings’ (so to speak) into painting intricate local bird ID posters. Lord Howe is my fourth. I squeeze as numerous regional types as I can onto one watercolour page to attempt to influence individuals to progress familiarized with their regional birds and, ideally, to keep an eye out for and care for the live ones in the field.
The LHI poster took me 3 field sees and 3 extensive years in the studio to produce. All the presents are comprised at first from my own creativity and understanding of the birds’ character. It enables a more visual circulation to the structure. This time I might fit on child birds, nests, eggs, and plumage stages, with a more intricate ID secret.
I hope, in my own method, to contribute to the already fantastic nature education resources on the Island. And your birds are so cooperative and charming!”
Fiona is lecturing and slide reveal as a little insight into how the poster was assembled: 5pm Wednesday 5th April, at the Museum. Wine, cheese and personally autographed copies of her bird poster will likewise be available. The posters – at $34 each – make terrific presents for pals and family members.
All welcome.
This post appeared in The Lord Howe Island Signal, 31 March 2023.
