Tui on Harakeke

Tui on Harakeke
Original Graphite Drawing

Size: 35 x 21cm ( 48.5 x 37.5cm framed)
Medium: Graphite pencil on Fine Art Watercolour Paper, Hot Pressed, 300gsm
Time Spent: 6 hours
Framing: Professionally framed with acid-free matting and standard glass (not UV-protective or non-reflective)
Availability: One-of-a-kind original

Price: $365 NZD (includes packaging; shipping extra)

🌿 The Story Behind the Artwork
This pencil drawing of the New Zealand tui highlights the striking beauty and distinct characteristics of this iconic native bird. Perched on harakeke (flax), a plant central to its diet, the tui is often seen feeding on nectar with its curved beak and brush-tipped tongue. Its iridescent green and black plumage, offset by the distinctive white throat feathers, makes it one of Aotearoa’s most recognizable birds.

Beyond its striking appearance, the tui is celebrated for its extraordinary vocal abilities. With two voice boxes, it produces a wide range of calls, from melodious notes to clicks, cackles, and even mimicry of other birds or human-made sounds. These complex songs add to the tui’s lively presence in forests and gardens, making it not only visually captivating but also a symbol of the richness of New Zealand’s natural soundscape.

🖋️ Signed original
📄 Includes a story insert and certificate of authenticity
📦 Shipping is custom - due to the delicate nature of this piece, please reach out to arrange safe delivery.