Journeys in Australia

Australia is a land blessed with unique wildlife – and during her two month expedition Pollyanna took every opportunity to fill her sketch folder with brand new studies of koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, kookaburras and more. Visit Pollyanna’s official facebook page to watch some short videos which she filmed during her journey – including with Blue Gum the koala (above) who was being treated for a leg injury at a wildlife sanctuary.

She flew to Brisbane, and then spent two months traveling around the country, visiting numerous wildlife sanctuaries and hospitals to learn more about the animals they were caring for. On Philip Island she was enchanted to watch the evening return of the fairy penguin – the world’s smallest species – to feed their chicks at their nest sites after a day spent fishing at sea. She spent time trekking in the outback, and searching for animals in the wild – being rewarded with numerous sightings of koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas and even a wild dingo.

She met Lunar the dingo (right) – he is the male from one of two pairs who are part of a breeding and re-introduction scheme for these wild dogs, which are now endangered in most parts of Australia.

Pollyanna also joined wildlife rangers in the Western Plains of Victoria to help with their daily monitoring of wild koalas in the area, and even spent a day planting trees as part of their eucalyptus reforestation project.
While on the continent Pollyanna of course had to take in the iconic beauty of Uluru, in the red centre, and while in the area took the opportunity to lean more about Aboriginal bushcraft and art. “I have always been fascinated by aboriginal art which is itself inspired by the natural patterns of nature – animal tracks and the shapes of rocks and rivers – and I am sure I will include some of those influences in my finished paintings.”

However the journey wasn’t all work – Pollyanna’s travel schedule meant that she was in Sydney over the new year – and she took a harbor cruise at midnight to celebrate the arrival of 2017 watching the iconic fireworks display over Sydney Harbour Bridge– a spectacular start to the new year