100 Artworks for a Koala entry by Cheryl Hodges. Title: ‘Forest Redgum – Eucalyptus tereticornis’ – watercolour and graphite.
Cheryl HODGES
Multi award-winning watercolour artist based close to Canberra, ACT, Australia
“I love to capture the beauty and intricacies of nature in watercolour – botanical and insects, painting and teaching.”
100 Artworks for a Koala entry: Title: Forest Redgum – Eucalyptus tereticornis
| Size: W 18cm x H 18cm | Medium: watercolour and graphite
“I live near Canberra and wasn’t directly impacted by the bushfires last season, but it was terrible learning of the ongoing devastation, and the smoke was a constant reminder of what was happening to our people and our wildlife. When I heard about ‘Living with Koalas’ I was pleased to find at least a small way in which I could help. Although I don’t usually paint animals other than insects, I do paint plants. I am familiar with the beautiful Forest Redgum which I have painted previously, from specimens at a friend’s property near Nelligen NSW. This is one of the koala’s food trees, for which Living with Koalas is raising funds.” Cheryl Hodges
Artist bio
Cheryl Hodges was raised on a property on the outskirts of Canberra, Australia, and developed a love of nature and art at an early age. In 1999 Cheryl discovered her passion; botanical watercolour painting. Cheryl’s style of painting involves building up the colour in many layers of soft washes, creating an almost translucent effect. She intensifies the final painting with darker washes and dry brush work. She particularly enjoys painting Australian natives and more recently has been focusing particularly on threatened and endangered species. Cheryl teaches both botanical and insect illustration, and has created an online tutorial ‘painting eucalyptus leaves’.
Cheryl has held two solo exhibitions. In 2014 she was invited to join the Florilegium of the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney with her paintings Eucalyptus tereticornis and Acacia longifolia now in the permanent collection, and in two publications. She has completed numerous commissions, including a major work for the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust, and a ‘rediscovered’ orchid for the CSIRO.
Artist exhibitions & Awards
- 2019 Solo exhibition “Earthly Treasures of our Shire”, The Q Exhibition Space, Queanbeyan NSW
- 2017 Solo exhibition “Botanical Capital” March 2017, Yarralumla Gallery ACT
- 2017 Best in Show – Wildlife and Botanical Artists Inc members’ exhibition
- 2017 1st place Miniatures – ASOC members’ exhibition
- 2017 Council Exhibition Award – Queanbeyan Palerang Council Art Awards
- 2015 Best in Show – Botanical Art Society of Australia members’ exhibition
Artist contact
Instagram: @cherylhodgesartist