ARTWORK HISTORY:
Our family is very much into "the Arts" in all it's forms, from music to art to chinaware and even classic old (quality) technology!
Our focus has always been landscapes, both Australian and New Zealand as we have connections with both countries but over the years our walls have become overcrowded with "other" artworks and although we love just about every piece of art that we have, it's time to hang some new acquisitions and sadly this wonderful watercolour (print) by a local artist must now leave home!
GAYLE RUSSELL:
Gayle is one of Australia's leading artists and has exhibited overseas and regularly at major exhibitions in Sydney and Melbourne resulting in exceptional sales along side other Australian artists including the late Pro Hart, John Vander, Werner Filipitch, Kevin Best, Max Mannix and others.
She is noted as the group of "Kevin Hill's Top 10 Australian Artists and she is represented in two "Top Ten" Australian Artists limited edition books published by K & C Agencies, Sydney.
Her works of art are much sought after both here in Australia wide and Internationally, with her works being included in collections in England, Japan, Canada, Germany, India, New Zealand, Dubai, America and Spain.
Her works initially were realistic Australian wildlife watercolours but she has moved into contemporary abstract artworks in addition to this. Her works are truly stunning and well worth a look, GO HERE to see her website!
SUBJECT OF THE PAINTING:
Two Blue-Winged Kookaburra's (Kingfisher family) sitting on a wooden farm fence, one appears to be male and the other (lower bird) female (reddish breast colouring)
Unfortunately the artwork is without a title but there does seem to be some sort of "bird discussion" going on between these two! I have seen other Kookaburra "couples" painted by Gayle but they are not looking at each other, and then there is the "I'm higher than you" aspect as well. It is not just a painting of a couple of Kooka's - there is a story here. Make of it what you will.
We liked this artwork primarily because the Kookaburra is such an iconic Australian bird and they start their day with a good loud laugh! Bushies often refer to these birds as their "alarm clock of the bush" Not a bad way to start the day, having a good old laugh!
GAYLE RUSSELL - Two Kookaburra's on a wooden fence (our name for this artwork as we are unaware of the original title given by the artist)
Watercolour (print) behind glass
Gayle has signed her work, lower right of centre area (Black ink)
Undated (we purchased this art sometime in the 1990's, we think!)
Artwork measurements: 270mm high x 185mm wide
Inner framework measurements: 390mm high x 300mm wide
Outer timber frame measurements: 460mm high x 370mm wide
Artwork under the glass is clean, without liquid or dirt discolouration
The outer card border has some discolouration, a slight yellowing to the card. This discolouration is symmetrical and it appears we had another smaller artwork sitting on top and the light has faded the exposed parts of this border. It is not terrible but it is noticeable - if it really bothers the new owner, changing the inner border would solve this.
I have visually inspected this painting very, very carefully and I cannot declare it is an original watercolour so let's call this a print! That said, it is a very high quality print. The detail is extraordinary and there are no "digital dots" apparent at all - this has been professionally printed, perhaps even lithograph. Gayle's signature also looks to be a fascimile, not original.
To be truthful, I have found it extremely difficult to "pin down" this artwork because I do not wish to remove the artwork from the frame - it has been professionally constructed and sealed at the rear.
The timber frame is solid and has an inner gold gilding applied on all sides.
The rear has a standard hanging nylon rope, stapled.
FURTHER DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS ARTWORK:
Try as we might, we have never been able to identify this artwork anywhere else. Oh yes, Gayle has painted a number of works with Kookaburra's being the subjects but not the same as this painting.
Gayle has also released Limited Edition prints of her previous works but these always are numbered and come with clear identification of the artist etc, an authenticity certificate in other words.
I don't think Gayle has ever licensed her artwork for "general mass reproduction" so I am at a bit of a loss over this artwork.
This work has absolutely nothing on the rear of the frame, someone started to write something in pencil and didn't continue (just two soft pencil lines) so no clues there either.
We have always loved this artwork and it is often a talking point when visitors drop by but it's a shame we didn't find out more about it.
Shipping is no problem, we consider our art (like our chinaware) to be "family" and when our family leaves home, we make sure they do so safely - it will be packed extremely well!
