My arm was twisted last year (not very hard) to make a mosaic for a blogger friend.  My friend’s property was burnt in Australia’s huge summer bush fires.  Fortunately, his house survived.  Some of my readers may know Brian from Bushboys World.  One of Brian’s favourite little birds is the Eastern Yellow Robin.  So that was the first mosaic that I made for him.  I’ve also made a second one of a Red-Browed Finch.  I had to make two mosaics otherwise the first one would be lonely.  Unfortunately I attacked the second with a sharp knife today because I didn’t like the shape of its head.  Not that anyone would have noticed the problem because it is not as though people will be looking at it close-up once its hung.  I would have known though, so it met its fate.  I’ll need to fix it, then I can share it with you.  Stand by for that one.

My creative process involved adapting one of Brian’s robin photos.  Here is his photo.

eyr

This is what I came up with (see below).  Sorry for the pumpkins and grass in the background of the photo.  I was trying to hide the kitchen mess.  Still, it looks artistic, don’t you think?  My son, the naturalist, thinks the little bird looks like a Gerygone because the beak is too curved for an Eastern Yellow Robin.  Hopefully Brian won’t be too fussy about the small details.  Also, I hope he is in no rush because I have to go sealant shopping and then make a trip to the post office.  Not so easy in “these difficult times”.

eastern yellow robin
Eastern Yellow Robin, 2020 (Tile on Tile, 14x14cm)

It has not been a good mosaic year for various reasons.  The weather has turned cold now so I may not be able to make any more until next spring.  I do have plans to make a couple more for friends.  Not sure what yet.  We’ll see.

In other good news, my local cafe raised $450 for Bush Heritage Australia when it raffled my mountain pygmy possum mosaic.

Kind Regards.
Tracy.

64 thoughts on “Bird Friend”

      1. Good to hear you’re doing well.
        I’m going through a gamut of emotions every day and feeling a degree of emotional fatigue.
        It was so hot here … nearly 39 degrees, 13 degrees higher than average temperature and dropping the same tomorrow. We live in strange times indeed.

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      2. Eek. I saw the red on the weather map but I wasn’t paying much attention so I didn’t catch the WA temps. That is exhausting on top of everything else. I know you don’t have air con so it must be difficult. My mood is all over the place too. I hope you still speak to your family.

        I know your thoughts must be with all those who have brought the virus home with them and then ended up in sub-standard conditions in hotels.

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      3. I did not anticipate being so emotionally exhausted working from home. I do have Air con, I just don’t use it very much unless my daughter brings the dogs over! 🙂 I did today though as I had someone with me before he headed north again to hotter weather, no doubt. It was nice being cool, sipping iced tea and just having company.

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  2. What a lovely post, Tracy; very sad to hear about Brian’s property, but everything else is heartwarming and brilliant: talented artists, positive actions and amazing results!

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    1. Thank you so much, Irene. Brian’s property has had quite a bit of rain since the fires and this has made a huge difference to the recovery of the landscape and wildlife. Hopefully this mosaic will be able to make its way home soon.

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  4. Wow, Tracy, what a wonderful post, I feel like I have dived into an oasis of pure love, generosity, creativity and beauty. Thank you for sharing how Brian’s gorgeous photos (and creativity) inspired your own and I hope you have a sense of how both of you generate joy in the blogosphere!!!

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  11. Beautiful Tracy, such a gift you have and I love that you use your talent for a good cause. I’m sure Brian will be delighted with the Eastern Yellow Robin!

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  15. Such a charming piece, Tracy, and I’m sure it will help your friend in his recovery. I think your mosaic is faithful to the little bird as well. Wonderful that you could raise so much money…it adds a new dimension to doing an art work when you’re helping a good cause, I think.
    I hope you’re coping ok with the lockdown and that your family is well.

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    1. Thanks Jane. It is tremendously satisfying that my artwork goes to such good causes. That makes me as happy, if not happier, than working on the artwork itself 🙂
      We are all going fine, except for the TL. He is quite lost IMO. We previously spent a lot of our weekend doing our market shopping, eating and photography in and around Yass. As you know, the NSW restrictions preclude this type of cross-border interaction, so it has been very difficult for him. How are you going?

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      1. We are fine, thanks Tracy, but then, we are retired so we don’t have jobs to worry about. We are missing meeting up with friends and seeing our two kids in Sydney, but keeping busy with ‘stuff’ that fills in the time and making sure we go out for a good walk each day.

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  16. Gorgeous piece and post full of creativity and good feeling. So glad to hear your piece raised money for a good cause, and I’m sure this mosaic will raise your friend’s spirits! Thank you for sharing!♡

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  17. How’s your hay fever, Tracy?
    This is truly fantastic ❤️ and Brian is lucky! 🙂 I am sure this will help him recover a bit from the loss. I am already looking forward to the companion mosaic. 🙂

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    1. Thank you, Punam. I did enjoy making this piece The bird is a sweetie (in character in my mind, lol). The next one is not quite as charming and has been giving me grief. Nevermind, it wouldn’t be the first time that’s happened. 🙂
      The hayfever or whatever it is comes and goes. Annoying. I went for a big walk today and don’t feel too bad, but I didn’t ramble through a lot of grass either.
      How are you going, Punam?

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      1. You are welcome, Tracy. I agree it looks such a sweetie. The next one too will come out well eventually, I have a feeling. Some poems flow easily but some take up so much time and I am still not happy with the outcome…they get the maximum likes!! So 🙄
        Good to know you went out for walk…must have felt good. I am okay, Tracy. Except for that occasional day when all I want to do is stay in bed, I am doing fine, keeping myself busy with trying new recipes with limited resources and cleaning home…with a vengeance!! 😂

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      2. I’ve heard of this cleaning the house business. We prefer to stay in our messy bubble. We figure if we don’t go out we can just maintain the status quo. I have however, found the top of the dining table several times now. 🙂
        The walk did feel good. I can’t imagine how people, like you, can get out living in a big city. I guess the only place for some peace and quiet would be the bedroom?

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      3. No, not the Marie Kondo kind of cleaning!! 😂 Just taking out clothes and stuff that kids don’t use any longer. I like a bit of mess…the home should look alive and lived in.
        Living in a big city walks are not impossible ( there’s a huge park near our flat) but want to avoid stepping out.
        Yes, bedroom is the sanctum sanctorum these days as the lobby and kitchen are the hub of all activities. I have got into the rhythm of things now and with the lockdown extended till 3rd May, I think I’ll manage reasonably well. 🙂

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  19. A beautiful mosaic Tracy and so lovely your other mosaic raised so much money for a great cause! 💖 xxx

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  20. I loved the mosaic, Tracy! And so glad that you helped raise money for such an important cause…$450 is huge! Keep up the good work…you are an inspiration to a lot of us.

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  21. Wonderful news about your mountain pygmy possum mosaic raising so much money for the good cause, Tracy! And I love your Yellow Robin mosaic, so if Brian’s too fussy about the details… 😉😉

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      1. I’m glad you are ok Tracy. My son and his flatmates are well — stir-crazy but taking good care of each other. I get to see him — at a distance — as I’ve been doing the flat’s grocery shopping. That has made things easier for me too.

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      3. I think so!
        Shopping hasn’t been too bad. I seem to have been incredibly lucky to arrive at precisely the right moment to avoid huge queues. Every time I’ve gone to the supermarket, I’ve noticed that as I’m leaving the queues are stretched out for a huge distance. Obviously I’m an unconscious trend-setter 🙂

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