“Magpie Geese in a Grove of Mangoes, Townsville”, 2023

James Brown

“Magpie Geese in a Grove of Mangoes, Townsville”, 2023

Oil on wood panel

Size: 40.6 x 50.9 cm

On my morning walk with Isabelle, we often follow a path through a shaded grove of mango trees, a haven for local wildlife. Wallabies bound through the undergrowth, magpie geese bob their heads inquisitively, and the ubiquitous Australian white ibis, or "bin chickens" as we call them, slowly plod through the leaf litter. The cool, dappled light filtering through the canopy, combined with the ankle-deep layer of fallen twigs and leaves, transforms the walk into a delightful game of discovery. There's always something new to see.

This painting captures the essence of that moment.  Filtered sunlight makes the carpet of fallen leaves glow and the colour contrasts with the magpie geese with their heads tilting and bobbing as they forage for mangoes. Their world, contained within the shadowed grove, feels both serene and intensely alive.