Latest Artwork
Elizabeth Cogley (Liz Cogley) was born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
From the furthermost points of Cape York, Queensland to Wilsons Promontory in Victoria, from Steep Point, Western Australia to Byron Bay on the mainland and then Tasmania, from our deserts to our tropical areas, our ecosystems are so varied and amazingly beautiful. My aim is to explore each region and gather plenty of reference material and knowledge of each area’s history and it’s flora and fauna, and also take every opportunity I can to protect our ecosystems.
Many of the creatures in my paintings are those of wildlife that have been rescued or have been orphaned. Others became the subject of paintings simply because they were an inspiration. My husband, Brendan and I, also travel quite a bit, exploring different areas of Australia and researching the local wildlife. It is very important to me that the environment in which I paint the animal is well researched. So, many hundreds of photos later and many quick sketches and notes, I will have enough information to begin a piece of artwork.
There are many aspects of creating an artwork. Use of medium, for me, should be appropriate to the subject. Depending on the environment, a choice of airbrushing, pastel or acrylic paint, or a combination of these is used. In each painting the animal or bird usually begins with layers of watercolour then more detailed work follows in pencil and finally gauche. Sometimes texture is exciting to use in the artworks. Texture can highlight the beauty of a rock, bark, moss or even the earth. When painting using oil paint, oil is all I use. Sometimes, however, it is great to add texture as well.
My love of the Australian Bush and it’s Wildlife was my inspiration.
Learning early, that the importance of protecting our beautiful and fragile environment is what continues to inspire me.
I find great comfort in the process of creating an artwork, not only in the painting process but the journey of discovery that it takes me on beforehand.
"My Heart and My Soul”
The Moss, the earth
The smells of the bush
The air and the gentle breeze
These places I paint
And it’s inhabitants
All become real to me
I’m so grateful for this
And the love of the bush
To be able to paint
To live in this place
It is a part of me
It is a part of us all
Our heart and our soul
©Elizabeth Cogley 2015