Tag Archives: joycelinleahyblogging

Trees in Bellbowrie


Thank you for supporting my blog and continuing to enjoy my writing while I was away. In this post, I share two studies of trees in Australia and tell you a little story. My study of the trees are mostly in Bellbowrie, and our nearby suburbs.

Early one morning on June 1, 2020, in winter, I was glancing out of the Brisbane City bus, enjoying the light captured by gum trees, leaves and their bark. I am always fascinated by light. I noticed many white spots under the trees and wondered what these spots were. It was misty.

They could have been hail, or even clumps of eucalyptus flower droppings. As the bus came closer to Pullenvale stop, the white ‘spots’ moved rapidly. It was a crackle of cockatoos. That sight, filled my heart and made me smile all day. The cockatoos were unbothered by what was going on around them. For me, it was such a beautiful sight in the middle of the pandemic.

I have revisited the images in my head with some colour. I hope you enjoy these illustrations. I have been busy with my children’s book, The Lazy Little Frog. I have now completed the work I set out to do in publishing the books in three Papua New Guinea national languages, English, Tok Pisin and Motu. You can view and purchase the books here.

Spots under gum trees, at a glance from the bus ride. Watercolour Illustration “Gum” © by Joycelin Kauc Leahy.
As the bus approached, the spots were moving. Watercolour Illustration, Gum Cockatoos ©” by Joycelin Kauc Leahy

Tribal Contemporary Art Portraits – Papua New Guinea


#Contemporary Art

Pic: Luke Stringer.

While I have been away from this blog I have been painting and creating other projects. I am sharing these short post and images especially for my blogger friends and followers. Thank you for your continued support. It is good to see some of you here already.

One of the the themes that has become part of my contemporary painting style and signature are the tribal Papua New Guinea (PNG) portraits. While these artwork take me a long time to paint and require research and specific layering to stay true to the authentic ‘bilas’ (traditional decoration and representation of the tribes), I really enjoy the process of painting these.

I have been through the cultural process myself while growing up in Wagang Village, Lae, Morobe Province. I grew up with feathers, magic leaves, bones, shells and all the beautiful natural materials you use to create special costumes. I made my own bilas and danced with my people for many years prior to moving to university to study away from home.

My love for intangible and tangible cultures of my people and the aesthetic beauty for each area in province in PNG continues through these contemporary creative exercises. I hope you like these and please share them if you want to. If you want such portrait done, comment here or email me on jkleahyart@gmail.com for sizes and prices. All work posted here are copyrighted.

Oro Beauty (Fiona Stringer). JKLeahy©

“Simbu Princess” Cleo Kambolz – J.K. Leahy©