Thomas Jackson
Thomas Jackson
2022 Artist
ARTIST STATEMENT
Painted Honeyeaters are listed as a vulnerable species. Their favourite food, fruit of the grey Mistletoe, is in short supply.
Unlike many species of honeyeaters which will forage at almost any types of flowers, the Painted Honeyeater specialises in foraging at the flowers of the parasitic mistletoes that grow in trees. These mistletoe flowers are often quite exquisite, being delicate and brightly coloured, and they hang in profusion among the pendulous mistletoe foliage. Painted Honeyeaters probe the flowers with their deep-pink beaks, and they find them so alluring that their regular seasonal movements coincide with the times when different species of mistletoes are blooming.
The painted honeyeater can be found in the Cocoparra ranges, located just 25 km from Griffith, and like many other honeyeater species has Bold yellow and black plumage. Honeyeaters are a particular favorate of mine to paint as they are such striking birds that dart from tree to tree. When ever I look for them all I get a flash of yellow and black but I still get really excited.
THOMAS JACKSON @thomasjjackson
Thomas Jackson is An Australian artist and illustrator who was born in Bolton, U.K. Moving to Sydney, Australia as a child, he was instantly drawn to the natural wildlife of this new country. Fascinated by the local animals and landscapes, he drew inspiration from his new home, as well as scientific plant and animal specimens, entomology, and taxidermy.’ Today, Thomas puts a modern take on ‘Natural History Illustration’, painstakingly creating smaller-scale works for galleries and translating these into large-scale public murals.