about.

I live on wangal land, of the eora nation, near the Cooks River, NSW.

I would like to acknowledge the elders and first nations people of the eora and the Cooks River.  It is on this land that I collect insects, some of which are endemic to the eora nation.

Hi, this is me, Jane.

I paint insects…they are painted from life.  I don’t use photography or web images. 

I catch insects with a butterfly net and then they are euthanised in a jar (I guess that makes me the spider).  The insects are set by me and are arranged as I found them in nature, I don’t splay them for scientific analysis like a museum.  They are then pinned for permanent keeping.  I’m a collector too.

I may paint the same insect over again, but I do not make prints for wall hanging.  I may make prints for cards in the future.

There is a botanical nature to my work and I paint with accurate scale and colours, but there is definitely a flair to their representation that is all my own.

I paint in gouache, as I prefer the opacity and vibrancy of the medium to watercolour.  The brushers are usually the smallest I can get, I rarely use a brush larger than 0.  the 000 sable is my staple brush.

The paintings are on Arches 850gm Cold Pressed 100% cotton water paper.  Yep its thick and beautiful with a rough finish. 

They are framed professionally in Newtown.  Usually mounted and always glazed with non-reflective glass.

I hope you enjoy the finished works of subjects that reflect the true nature of our place.

I am also a keen gardener.

Jane Bernard 2025