Here’s the cover for issue 669 of the Quokka newspaper– the theme was Foundation Day, a public holiday in Western Australia. Like last week’s cover, this is a reference to a famous image- this time it’s a painting by George Pitt Morrison called The Foundation of Perth.
The original painting tells a story from the early history of Western Australia- on the 12th of August 1829, Mrs Helen Dance, the wife of the captain of the HMS Sulphur, cut down a tree to commemorate the founding of the colony. Apparently the tree was close to where the Perth Town Hall now stands. I think that’s the Narrows off in the distance, and Mt Eliza- which is now Kings Park. There’s not a hint of an Aboriginal person anywhere.
Hi James, your blog is looking great. Your Quokka illustrations always have some humor in them 🙂 Do you always get a free reign with your ideas? or do you get suggestions aswell? hehe just noticed the quokka asleep under tree 🙂 Could comment on all your other work too as it is really interesting! Your clay work is looking fun and strong. I have done a figurative clay sculptures workshop at FAC a few years ago too, was great. Love doing courses there. Anyway all the best with your blogging! I better get back into it again now my stylefile sub is in. Seeya at Rotto!
Hi Shannon 🙂 sometimes it’s free reign- I’ll just be given a topic- and sometimes the suggestion is more detailed. I’m really enjoying the clay classes, they’re great fun- I find it easier to work in 3D sometimes, because you don’t have to rub out lines and redraw- you just move bits around. I’ll try and paint these sculptures up and post the finished products.
Dear James, I LOVE your Quokka covers!! If you ever decided to publish a book of your best covers I would buy it & pay big bucks too!
Hi Clare. Thanks for your kind words, if I publish one I will let you know 🙂