Pair of Tui on Oar

Title: Two become one

The Tui are a favourite subject and a much loved bird.  Their beautiful song often catches the attention of those in close proximity. I have painted them on a baroque style design to enhance their beauty.

Tui are attracted to the sweet nectar of the flax flower so I have etched into the handle  with a harakeke flax weaving style and painted over it to give a textured authentic look. 

I have added a North Island Puriri Moth (ghost moth) a beautiful large green moth that as a grub lives in trees.  I enjoy immortalising them in art as in life they only live for48 hours. 

The wood oar is made from pine. I like to leave some of the wood exposed to show the life it had before I upcyled it.  

For this piece I have used Acrylic paint and finished with a Satin Varnish.