Location: Australia
“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” –Anatole France
My unique work reflects my need to communicate to the viewer the importance of animal and human relationships. I adore all animals and through my subject matter and composition I explore emotions behind the loving relationships between my characters. The work addresses universal themes of love, loss and vulnerability. In recent times I have been heartbroken by the loss of Australia’s beautiful wildlife and flora through drought and devastating fires. I wish to pay tribute to our animals and to the special human beings that provide love, care and shelter for them. My work is based on whimsical figurative images of animals, female characters and flora woven together with my fascination for rich color & texture. I use various techniques of dry brush, washes & thick layers of paint that are often rubbed back to reveal underlying colors. My work on canvas or linen is created using acrylic paint and in general, I prefer to work on larger canvases.
My inspiration is drawn from my love of all creatures’ great and small, my beautiful cats, garden, gallery visits and online research. I am strongly influenced by the work of artists Marc Chagall, Mirka Mora, Arthur Boyd and Charles Blackman.
Living in Melbourne, Australia, I share a home with my husband and two adorable cats Billie & Princess Lucie. I am known to my close friends & family as “Lynnie” a name I hold dear to my heart, of which I use in my signature. My previous career of over 30 years was in Product Development resourcing art and design for the Home wares and Greeting Cards Industries. I have studied a Diploma of Visual Arts at CAE Box Hill Institute 2019, Ceramics at Monash University; Clarinda Ceramic Studio and have a Diploma of Fine Art Ballart College of Advanced Education. I have traveled through South East Asia, China, Italy & France.
My message to the world is to be loving, kind, compassionate and respectful to all living creatures in our world.
Website: www.lynnebertalli.com.au
Email:lynne.bertalli@bigpond.com
Instagram: lynniecatwoman
My work is based on whimsical figurative images of animals, female characters and flora woven together with my fascination for rich color & texture. I use various techniques of dry brush, washes & thick layers of paint that are often rubbed back to reveal underlying colors.
The Carers is a work drawn from the sadness of the terrible bush fires we have experienced in the summer of 2019 -2020 where so much of the Australian Wildlife and Flora have been devastated. The saved animals are lovingly cared for by wonderful people who go above & beyond to save the animals. My color palette is warm, vibrant and very Australian. Native flowers adorn the girl’s heads, eucalyptus leaves and bottle brushes create background patterns symbolizing what we have lost. Linen ready to hang. Size 120 x 100cm
Bush fire Terror is a work drawn from the horror of the terrible bush fires we have experienced in the summer of 2019 -2020 where so much of the Australian Wildlife and Flora have been devastated. The girl runs from the flames while trying to save the kookaburra, sugar glider, koala & kangaroo. Eucalyptus leaves are scattered in the wind and flames creating background patterns symbolizing all that is being lost.
Canvas ready to Hang Size 120 x 80cm.
Bella amongst Wildflowers is work drawn from my absolute passion for felines and Australian Flora. I have always shared my life with pussycats and each one has a different character and personality. I find them amusing and adorable. Felines are always in tune with their environment. You can see them taking in the smells of the garden, sniffing, tearing off bits of foliage, chewing grass and sometimes rolling in scented plants. In this work Bella is being taken for a tour of a garden abundant with wildflowers.
Canvas ready to hang. Size 120 x 80cm.
Lillie & May is work drawn from my absolute passion for felines. I have always shared my life with pussycats and each one has a different character and personality. I find them amusing and adorable. In this work Lillie the mother cat shares a cuddle with her kitten May and her owner. I use various techniques of dry brush, washes & thick layers of paint to create my work.
Linen ready to hang. Size 100 x 120cm.
Swimming with the Platypuses is a work drawn from my fascination with wildlife. Australia has experienced a terrible drought that started to take hold in 2017 Due to climate change we have lost so much Australian wildlife due to dried up lakes, creeks & river beds. We have lost so many platypuses, it is heart breaking. In this work a girl swims with two platypuses, a message of hope for these unique creatures. Canvas ready to hang.Size 80 x 100cm.
Farewell tears #2 is work drawn from grief and sadness and the necessity of dealing with death and the loss of loved ones whether it is human or animal through angel figures. The Angel cat comes to guide her owner’s spirit towards heaven while the grief stricken cat sheds farewell tears while clinging to her mistress. My work addresses universal themes of love, loss and vulnerability.
Canvas ready to hang. Size 80 x 100cm.
Protection is a work drawn from the sadness of the terrible bush fires we have experienced in the summer of 2019 -2020 where so much of the Australian Wildlife and Flora have been devastated. The saved animals are lovingly cared for by wonderful people who go above & beyond to save the animals. Native flowers adorn the girl head, eucalyptus leaves, waratah, wattle and flowering gum create background patterns symbolizing what we have lost.
Canvas ready to hang. Size 80 x 100cm.
Sleeping Family is work drawn from my passion of felines. In this work the girl and her feline family cuddle up together for a sleep surrounded by cushions and rugs.. It is a beautiful thing to share love and warmth for both animals and humans. I wish to pay tribute to our animals and to the special human beings that provide love, care and shelter for them. Canvas ready to hang. 91.4 x 60.9 cm.
Teddy Ascending into heaven is work drawn from grief and sadness and the necessity of dealing with death and the loss of loved ones whether it is human or animal through angel figures. The angel cat Teddy is being swept up onto heaven by the angel, flying high into the sky through swirls of white daisies.
Canvas ready to hang. Size 91.4 x 91.4 cm
Proud Mothers is work drawn from my passion of felines. In this work the mother cat Tilly shares the joy of her baby kitten Tina with her owner nestled in an arm chair. Love hearts tags on the cats are symbols of human love. It is a beautiful thing to share love and warmth for both animals and humans. I wish to pay tribute to our animals and to the special human beings that provide love, care and shelter for them. Canvas ready to hang. Size 61 x 45.7cm
Magpies in our Garden is a work drawn from my passion for wildlife and Australian Flora. These beautiful birds frequent our garden, digging for worms, eating insects and caterpillars. They are very much a family and are wonderful & patient parents. Their bird song is so beautiful; they are playful , intelligent and very resourceful. I find them amusing and adorable. Canvas ready to hang. Size 100 x 80cm.
Afternoon Catnap is work drawn from my passion for felines. In this work the girl and feline family cuddle up together for a catnap. It is a beautiful thing to share love and warmth for both animals and humans. I wish is to communicate to people who see my work to understand the importance of animal and human relationships. I wish to pay tribute to our animals and to the special human beings that provide love, care and shelter for them.
Canvas ready to hang. Size 91 x 56cm
Anzac Day for 2020 was a very moving event. We have all been in isolation with the threat of the Corona Virus 19. This did not stop the many Aussies & Kiwis from paying tribute to those men, women & animals that payed the ultimate price for our freedom. It was so moving to see so many people paying tribute to our Anzac's by standing at the end of their drive ways with candles and listening to the last post. They have not been forgotten. Canvas ready to hang. Size 100 x 80cm
A handmade ceramic tile I made is placed on the grave of my beautiful girl Minnie. “She lays here in the Garden” is work drawn from my sadness & grief that I have felt many times when I have lost one of my fur babies. The poem on the tile was written by Liz Bailey a woman as mad about animals as I am. It is so beautifully written and expresses a fitting farewell to our beloved animal family members.This painting is on quality Italian linen and is ready to hang.
Size 122 x 82 cm
Delicious has been inspired by a TV advertisement where Red Riding hood is sharing a pizza and a laugh with the wolf. I found this so amusing; it really makes me laugh every time I see it. This bought up fond memories of childhood stories & illustrations that we forget over the years as adults. The work is based on stylized figurative images. The wolf emerges from the darkest forest that is back lit by an iridescent half-moon.This painting is on canvas and is ready to hang.
Size 80 x 100cm
“The Abandonment of the Mermaid & her new born baby”
“The Abandonment of the Mermaid & her newborn Baby” painting was inspired by my own handmade ceramic sculpture. This work I have always been fascinated by the myths and tales of mermaids, sirens & sailors. Size 100 x 80cm
“The Carers”
“Bush Fire Terror”
“Bella Amongst Wildflowers”
“Lillie & May”
“Swimming with Platypuses”
“Farewell Tears #2”
“Protection”
“Sleeping Family”
“Teddy Ascending into Heaven”
“Proud Mothers”
“Magpies in our Garden”
“Afternoon Catnap”
“In Honour of the Anzacs”
“She lays here in the Garden”
“Delicious”
