About

I create my bird and wildlife paintings and illustrations in my studio in Sandy Bay in Hobart. Illustrating takes up most of my time and as I spend less time on Bruny Island my little drawing space in Hobart is the centre of my art world.  I have for a long time admired and enjoyed the work of illustrators who bring stories to life with their skills and whimsy.  Such names as Eliza Wheeler, Melissa Sweet, the Fan Brothers and bird paintings of Carl Cneut. The art of Charles van Stanwych inspires and entertains me.

This summer sees the end of the use of the shepherd’s hut at Dennes Point….a magical place, but things change. The gallery at the cafe has also changed names to Art Untamed. I still love this video of my artist’s life on Bruny so shall leave it up at the moment.

My commitment to the arts on Bruny Island has led to the establishment, with fellow travellers, of a Bruny Island Foundation for the Arts. It is loosely based on the Shorefast Foundation on Fogo Island, Newfoundland (another island on the edge of the world). This arts-based social enterprise has supported the island life after the demise of the cod fishing industry.  Even though we don’t have a cod industry we do have rich fishing and tourism industries and the opportunity to have Bruny Island recognised for its Arts, in all forms, is to be encouraged.  In 2018, with support from the Jetty Foundation we managed two funded residencies, one at the Bruny Island Lighthouse cottage on South Bruny and the second at a residence in Adventure Bay. In 2019 we had the amazing Sam Nester, an Australian trumpeter working on faculty at the Juilliard School in New York. Sam spent time with his sound technician recording some of the locals, the rainforest and the lighthouse environment. His work, as it is completed is on the Foundation website. 2020 promised to be bigger and better with the major sponsor Coastal Island Retreats financing three fellowships to the value of $75k. Two of these fellowships have been delayed until next year due to Covid. Check out brunyislandfoundation.com for further information.

Retail outlets include ‘Miss Bond Jewellery’ in Salamanca, the Map Shop, Hobart and recently ‘Lofty’ Homestore in Longford are showcasing some of my work. I am on Stylefile, courtesy of an ASA Mentorship Award and also check out my online shop. Markets also have gone through a metamorphosis, the Kingston Beach Handmade Market continues (having survived the year). The next market is on 6th December, 2020. Follow me on Instagram to keep up with almost daily images. #rosalindloisbury

Illustrating

My first book was ‘Annabel’s Dance’ by Di Jackson, published by Wombat Books in 2016.  Then ‘The Moonlight Bird and the Grolken’,  by Bruny author Anne Morgan, was published by IP Kidz in March.  
I then had a foray into working with OBI (On Bruny Island Press) set up by Kate Morton, the children’s book on the forty-spotted pardalote, an endangered species, was produced for the 2016 Bruny Island Bird Festival. Written by Kate, these books were designed by Julie Hawkins and due to time constraints, was an exercise in organisation, efficiency and fun… ‘Little Spot on Bruny Island’ was the exciting result. A Victorian visitor, with a property on Bruny Island, Neil Werrett asked me to illustrate a book dedicated to his son, Billy. ‘Billy’s Bruny Island Garden’ was a pleasure to develop with Neil and Deb.

The second and third in the Endangered series, 'Quentin the Quoll on Bruny Island’ has been launched by Melbourne Architect John Wardle at Dennes Point in January, 2018.  The third book, highlighting the plight of the swift parrot, hit the shelves in time for the 2018 Bird Festival and is ‘Suzi P, the Swift Parrot on Bruny Island’.

In July 2021, I finished illustrating the non-fiction picture book, ‘The Way of the Weedy Seadragon’ written by Anne Morgan, published by CSIRO Publishing in Melbourne. This book was launched in early February 2021, at the Hobart Book Shop with the wonderful Essie Davis. Essie is an active member of the Killora Community Group (Bruny Island) that is concerned of the expansion of salmon farms in the D’entrecasteaux channel, denuding the seagrass and kelp seabeds, threatening the habitat of the Weedy Seadragon.

Life in the studio at Dennes Point