100 Artworks for a Koala entry by Shannon DWYER. Title: ‘ I see you… can you see me? ‘ – watercolour & ink
Shannon DWYER
Award-winning watercolour artist based in Sydney, Australia
I’m an artist of watercolour & ink with a love for Australian animals… raising both awareness & funds for our wildlife through art.
100 Artworks for a Koala entry: Title: ‘ I see you… can you see me? ‘
Size: W 57cm x H 76 cm
Medium: watercolour & ink
‘I wanted to showcase the beauty of the twisted deliciousness of the eucalyptus tree, as well as the koala. Creating the viewer’s perspective to feel as if they’re standing below the tree to emphasise the need for people to look up and engage with nature as it may also be looking down on you: wanting to be ‘seen’ – but, not disrupted; noticed – but, not interfered with; cared for – but in the wild, not just in captivity.
Australia has a huge array of animals found NOWHERE else in the world and, like the koala, if we do not re-evaluate the current disregard for the environment and our precious animals, they will disappear forever… ’ Shannon Dwyer
Artist bio
Shannon DWYER
“My story so far and how it all began. Art has always played a huge role in my life, right from my youth, spending all my ‘free time’ drawing and painting at every opportunity. However, there was a period there, when my husband, Charles and I, decided to create small human beings which meant art took a MASSIVE back-seat and our life as we knew it did a triple-twisting-double-backflip going ‘next-level-crazy’…but, it’s been a fun ride and we think they’re worth it!
Thankfully, crazy is something we creatives seem to feed-off so, along with becoming a mother and having been both a graphic designer and ‘continual artist’ meant that my life is just one big rollercoaster of all-things-creative and constant sources of inspiration!
Having dabbled in all styles of art, both digitally and ‘traditionally’ throughout my life, my subject-matter and art-medium has chopped and changed over time – always learning and building my repertoire and experience. Adding to this, I have an equally obsessive love for David Attenborough/Wildlife documentaries which has partly fuelled my need to travel as much of the world as possible, developing a strong connection for our beautiful world and its gorgeous wildlife (Australian mammals and birds being a particular favourite of late).
I work mostly with Watercolour and inks these days, I love how unpredictable watercolours can be – doing wonderfully unpredictably fun things once it’s dried! …aaaaand because when the paints dry out (because you had to run and tend to your small children) you can just add water to pick-up where you left off!
Since having had my children and hit-the-ground-running with my art again, I’ve somehow stumbled into an art style built up mostly of patterns, haphazard ink strokes and splatters of paint that form, for the most part, some of my favourite Australian wildlife. I hope, if nothing else, my art can bring a smile to your face.”
Artist exhibition / awards
2020: Artastique, Art Exhibition, Maitland, NSW – Finalist
2019: Aussie Ark, Art for Aussie Animals Exhibition, Australian Reptile Park, Wildlife Exhibition | Glebe Art Show, The Tramsheds, Forest Lodge, Finalist | Art Est., 10th GreenWay Art Prize Exhibition, Art Est Art School and Gallery, Finalist
2018: Art Est., 9th GreenWay Art Prize Exhibition, Art Est Art School and Gallery, Finalist & People’s Choice Award
© ROWAN Sarah
© WATTS Jessica