Family Tree: A Family Portrait Told Through Black Cockatoos
Family Tree was my first commissioned artwork, and it's a piece that will always hold a special place in my heart. Measuring 121 × 91 cm, this artwork was created as a statement piece for my client's hallway; a work designed to greet family and visitors alike as they enter the home.
At first glance, it may not look like a traditional family portrait. There are no faces, no posed smiles, and no matching outfits. Instead, six red-tailed black cockatoos sit amongst layers of foliage and flowers, each bird representing a member of the family.
The Brief
My client approached me with a beautifully sentimental idea. They wanted an artwork featuring six black cockatoos, one for each family member, creating a symbolic portrait of their family. From the beginning, I loved the concept. I’m always drawn to projects that tell personal stories in unexpected ways, and this brief offered the perfect opportunity to do exactly that.
Developing the Concept
Before picking up a paintbrush, I digitally illustrated the concept in Photoshop. This stage allowed me to experiment with composition, placement, and balance before committing the design to canvas.
The idea of a "family tree" quickly became the central theme. Rather than depicting a literal tree, I wanted the entire artwork to embody the interconnectedness of family.
The lighter foliage and peony flowers symbolise motherhood, while the darker eucalyptus leaves represent fatherhood. Together, they create a shared environment where the cockatoos perch amongst intertwined branches and leaves, connected to one another just as families are connected through love, history, and shared experiences.
Learning About Red-Tailed Black Cockatoos
One of my favourite parts of any commission is the research process. The more I learn about a subject, the more meaningful the final artwork becomes.
I was fascinated by the visual differences between male and female red-tailed black cockatoos. The males have deep black plumage with striking red tail panels, while the females are even more intricate, featuring delicate pale-yellow speckling and warm orange markings throughout their feathers.
These beautiful patterns presented an interesting design challenge. With six birds featured in a relatively large composition, I needed to ensure the artwork felt balanced rather than visually overwhelming. To achieve this, I positioned the outer cockatoos with their backs turned slightly inward. This allowed the detailed markings to feel intentional and harmonious within the overall design while naturally drawing the viewer's eye back into the center of the piece.
Embracing the Chaos of Family Life
One thing I knew from the beginning was that I didn't want this artwork to feel static or overly formal.
Family life is rarely neat and orderly. It's layered, busy, interconnected, and sometimes wonderfully chaotic. I wanted the composition to reflect that reality.
The foliage overlaps and weaves throughout the canvas, creating movement and energy. The birds occupy different spaces within the arrangement, each with their own presence while still feeling part of the larger whole. The result is a composition that feels alive—much like family itself.
Inspiration Behind the Style
Stylistically, I drew inspiration from Chinoiserie design and the beautiful botanical works of Diane Hill, particularly her Faraway Land art print.
I've always admired the way Chinoiserie combines elegance, storytelling, and intricate natural elements. Diane Hill's work captures that same sense of lush abundance, and it provided wonderful inspiration for the layered botanical environment I wanted to create for this commission.
Bringing the Artwork to Life
Once the concept was finalised, I transferred the design onto canvas and began painting with acrylics.
The background colour was carefully matched to my client's kitchen splashback and overall interior palette. Because the artwork was destined for the hallway, I wanted it to feel integrated with the surrounding space while still commanding attention as a statement piece.
After the painting was complete, it was professionally framed by a local framer in a smooth white float frame. The clean, contemporary framing allows the detail and richness of the artwork to remain the focal point while complementing the home's interior.
The Finished Piece
What I love most about Family Tree is that it tells a deeply personal story without needing a single human figure.
Every bird represents an individual family member, but together they become something greater than the sum of their parts. The layered botanicals, symbolic flowers and foliage, and interconnected composition all work together to celebrate the complexity, beauty, and enduring bonds of family.
It's a reminder that family portraits don't always have to look traditional. Sometimes, the most meaningful stories can be told through symbolism, nature, and a little creative imagination.
