This is the title piece from my Skyward Series, showcasing Australia's spectacular birdlife in its natural setting. I photographed this flock of sulphur-crested white cockatoos in a wild thunder storm outside the tiny village on Mirriwinni in Australia's tropical far north. The birds seemed to be dancing in the torrential rain, somersaulting between the branches of the wild plum trees, which were fruiting. There was such incredible beauty in the striking whiteness of the birds' feathers, so strongly contrasted against the purple darkness of the storm.

Transforming this image into an encaustic artwork was such fun. I don't usually work with such dark colours, because the encaustic wax tends to work better with high key photographs. But part of the fun of being an artist is breaking the rules, which I broke gleefully in this case, and with exciting results. The finished piece is full of stormy atmosphere and movement, and would bring a room to life.

This is a museum grade triptych. It isn't necessary to frame the 2cm thick hardwood panels, which are prepped with picture hardware and ready to hang, but this piece would look beautiful in an open box frame, with a bright silver edge.

Multi-paneled Painting: Wax on Wood

Original: One-of-a-kind Artwork

Size: 90 W x 41.5 H x 2 D cm