The Story Behind the Painting

 Song Of The Orient: Kōtare On Intricate Vase

This painting brings together memories from different parts of the world that have been significant in my life. The kingfisher was inspired by a photograph I took beside the Sea of Galilee, yet as I painted it, I was continually reminded of New Zealand's native Kōtare, a bird I have long admired. The bronze-style vessel was purchased many years ago during a visit to Yangshuo in Guangxi Province, China, and has remained one of my treasured objects. As the painting evolved, it felt like a natural blending of two cultures and experiences—connecting the landscapes, traditions, and memories of distant places through a shared appreciation of beauty and nature.

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