Queen of the gumtrees

Regal, serene, and utterly self-assured, Coco captures the quiet charisma of the kookaburra, her feathers dusted with chocolate and ocean hues that shimmer against a backdrop of dawn-light haze. Every detail, from the glint in her eye to the delicate down of her chest, invites you closer.

This portrait is a study in grace and personality — a celebration of Australia's most iconic laugh without the noise. Coco doesn’t perform; she perches, poised and unbothered, bringing a grounded elegance to any space she graces. Drawn with hyper-realistic detail, she’s not just a bird — she’s a character, a moment, a mood.

With Coco, I knew I had the chance to capture something special, the feeling that exists between kookaburras and us locals. I mean, how amazing is it that there’s a bird you recognize first by its laugh and then by its beauty, poise, and cheekiness? I just had to try to capture that. Honestly, I wasn’t even intimidated; I was excited, like a kid up next at show-and-tell. I wanted, needed, to share this little lady with the world. So I drew her at an iconic scale and gave her an icon’s name.

Drawing Coco

I was surprised by how engaging I found drawing Coco to be. Each section revealed a new pattern or detail, so the process never felt repetitive. Working up close was like a private tour, the way a zookeeper might point out each rare and remarkable trait. What struck me most was how her entire being felt like couture. From the delicate textures to the refined layering of detail, she carried the same intricacy and elegance as a gown hand-stitched with an array of pearls, sequins, and embroidery. Even her colours held that opulence, an “old money” richness that spoke with subtlety. Coco was beautiful and fascinating to draw from beginning to end.

The Original Edition

Winston exists as a singular, one-of-a-kind, large-scale statement piece. Measuring at 84.1 x 118.9 cm, this A0 framed Original Edition is exclusively available through Red Hill Gallery.

Printed on luxurious 320gsm French-made cotton rag with a textured cold-press finish, Winston is designed to endure. Using 12-colour Canon Lucia EX pigment inks, this museum-quality work holds an archival life of over 100 years. The drawing is hand-signed and comes with a signed and dated Certificate of Authenticity.

Professionally framed in a refined oak woodgrain moulding, Winston is protected by premium UV70% Art Glass—anti-glare with excellent UV resistance. Ready to hang, this Original Edition is a timeless statement piece crafted to be treasured for generations.

Take a close look

Nothing compares to the impact, the tactility, the colouring, the luxurious framing, and the mesmerizing beauty of seeing Coco in the flesh.

That said, let’s take a moment for the details. Soak in the rich colours, melt over the textures, gaze at the intricate patterns, and marvel at the intricate details.