Feather and Brush by Penny Olsen, CSIRO, A$69.95, ISBN 0643065474
ART shapes our view of nature more than we realise. I know far too many of
the neighbourhood sparrows, crows and starlings. However, visits from the local
finches, woodpeckers and blue jays are a welcome treat, and the occasional swan
on the local river is a sight for sore eyes. I鈥檝e seen a turkey vulture dining
on highway road kill, and peered at a flock of cormorants perched on a dead
tree. But the rarer the sighting, the more fleeting, so I turn to pictures for a
better look.
Photographs will never replace the artist鈥檚 touch in portraying birds. A
gifted artist can capture the essence of the bird, whether the goal is fine art
for a portrait gallery, a scientific illustration or a birdwatcher鈥檚
identification guide.
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Feather and Brush looks at the evolution of Australian bird art since the
European explorers began sketching black swans three centuries ago. It gives a
rich sampling of carefully posed illustrations from the 19th century. It also
highlights the art and methods of 34 modern Australian bird artists, with styles
ranging from highly symbolic to photographic realism. The eagles and owls remind
us of the global connections that come with flight; the laughing kookaburra and
splendid fairy wren are unmistakably Australian.