Catching up with Aussie artist Karlee Rawkins

I first featured Karlee Rawkins years ago when I saw her Little Pink Bird painting and fell in love with her work. Today she continues to paint as she has in the past and her work is gaining more attention. Last year she won the prestigious Mosman Art Prize in Australia for her painting Tiger Tribe which you can view below. Rawkins focus on nature and animals in her work is ever present and only gets better with time. I think when you see her art you'll agree.

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The art of Elżbieta Radziwiłł

Some quick picks from a recent find, though not a recent artist:

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Animal Paintings by Artist Karlee Rawkins

You don't have to be an animal lover to appreciate Karlee Rawkins' paintings but if you are one, you will undoubtedly come to adore her work.  This Aussie artist renders her subject matter in a playful and almost child-like manner.  And it would be easy to imagine these works in children's books as they appear quite literally derivative of the medium.

Little Pink Bird, 2009

However, Ms. Rawkins uses striking colour balance and juxtaposition to cleverly achieve a detached and contemplative tone.  As a result, these animals acquire a symbolic grace that elevates them outside of mere illustrations.  Excised from their natural environment they develop a quiet yet sophisticated abstraction.

Pelting, 2009

In turn, Ms. Rawkins forces us to confront the relationship between animal and the environment and our place in between.  Do we confront this animal imagery as it is or as one that is disappearing and being hunted?  More importantly, we're left to wonder if these animals will one day occupy our memories in the same way that children's books so often evoke the nostalgia of our distant childhoods. 

Juniper

Born in 1977, Karlee Rawkins studied Visual Art at Southern Cross University in Lismore, New South Wales, Australia where she graduated with an Honours degree in 1999.  Following her studies she lived in several countries including, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, France as well as India and Nepal.  Currently, her art work is on display at the Iain Dawson Gallery in Paddington, New South Wales.  Although, she will have a solo exhibition at the Flinders Lane Gallery in Melbourne beginning March 15th of this year.

Chicken Thief, 2010

Ms. Rawkins also sells her work through Shubert Contemporary Art Galleries in Main Beach, Queensland.  However, with one click you'll notice very quickly that most of her artwork is already sold out.  This is hardly surprising.  I just hope her new solo show in Melbourne will have similar types of works available for sale.

Pot of Fox

If you would like more information about this artist there are two essays available directly from her website, www.karleerawkins.com.  As well, there is a short interview from fellow blogger Natalie Walton on Daily Imprint, a fantastic blog with a variety of great interviews of creative types around the world.  All images used here are courtesy of the Karlee Rawkins website, Schubert Contemporary Art Galleries and Iain Dawson Gallery as well as Flinders Lane Gallery.

A Few Pearls, 2010

And I thought I had a big mouth...

Robert, Longleat 2008 by Jocelyn Bain Hogg

I just fell in love with this photograph by Joceyln Bain Hogg.  Naturally, the picture precipitated a perusal of Wikipedia's page on giraffes.  I couldn't help myself.  It wasn't something I had planned on writing about but my curiosity got the best of me.  So, I have compiled some interesting facts on these lovely animals for you.  All are courtesy of the Wikipedia website:

1.  The average mass of male giraffes is 2,600 lbs and 1,800 lbs for females.
2.  Approximate heights range from 4.3 to 5.2 metres.
3.  Their fur is a natural defense mechanism full of antibiotics and parasite repellants.
4.  It also has a characteristic scent and the male's odour is especially distinctive and strong.
5.  They have the shortest sleep requirement of any mammal at 4.6 hours.
6.  The giraffe name has two possible origins; from the Arabic ziraafa or from the African name zurapha.
7.  Lions pose the greatest threat to their survival.
8.  Giraffes are unable to swim.
9.  Their necks can be over 2m in length.
10.  Necks are elongated so as to allow them to reach nutrients that their competitors cannot not.
11.  A giraffe heart weighs approximately 22lbs and is around 2ft long.
12.  Males determine female fertility by tasting the female's urine.
13.  Giraffe gestation is between 400 and 460 days.
14.  Mothers give birth standing up.
15.  Newborns are around 6ft tall.
16.  25-50% of newborns never reach adulthood.
17.  Maximum lifespan is 25 years in the wild and 28 years in captivity.
18.  Giraffes defend themselves with a powerful kick.
19.  Male giraffes are hetero-flexible and one function of their necking (besides combat) is sexual.
20.  Male giraffes will court and caress each other resulting in mounting and climax.
21.  Only 1% of female giraffes engage in same-sex behaviours.
22.  They have a long tongue, at around 18 inches, and will use it to clean bugs off their face.
23.  The largest giraffe populations exist in Kenya, Tanzania and Botswana.

Who knew they were such fascinating animals.   If you would like to view some more beautiful work by British photographer Jocelyn Bain Hogg please visit his website or you can purchase his prints at 20ltd.

I'll be back to regular programming shortly.  I have a whole list of things I'm excited about for 2011 that I can't wait to share them with you.  Stay tuned...

Oh and I almost forgot, Happy New Year everyone!