This painting features a gymea lily, standing against a cobalt blue sky - based on a plant growing near my home in the lower Blue Mountains. I've taken this image and worked it the design of a book cover - in keeping with my recent 'Unpopular Penguin' series.
'Where Song Began' is a recent book, discussing the evolution of songbirds and parrots in Australia. The title and the bright blossom are complimentary. The title was suggested to me by artist and bird-fan, Josh McCrimmon.
I like the combination and contrast of somewhat messy brushwork, and fairly neat text - there's a contest of chaos and design. The composition comes from the Penguin Modern Classics, but the imagery I've used here is original.