1ft X 1'4ft
 
As I did with my other piece, it began with a bit of word association with ‘new beginnings’. I wanted something that was bold and fearless. In these strange times we have experienced over the last 18 months or so, we’ve all come through it differently. But we’ve all had to be brave and face new challenges, obstacles and adjust to a different way of living. As a nation we rose to the challenge and worked together to help one another, and support those who needed it most. I wanted to create something that captured that rise, something that came from nothing and became great. I thought of the Phoenix, turning to dust but then rising up from the ashes to become something bold and amazing again. No matter how many times it turns to dust, it always rises again. The title comes from the song ‘Rise Up’ by Andra Day. The lyrics are especially relevant right now; ‘I'll rise like the day, I'll rise up, I'll rise unafraid, I'll rise up, and I'll do it a thousand times again’. This piece is an acrylic painting on wooden board with marker pen detailing. I wanted to set it on a black background, to bring out the fire in the feathers, but I also wanted something subtle there too. So I chose circular patterns, because circles have no beginning or end, they are constant and everlasting. I also love traditional Aboriginal and African styled ‘dot paintings’, which I wanted to incorporate into it too.