Meet the artist - ANNA BATTLE
Behind each bilby is a talented artist, bringing their own creativity, style and story to the Bilby Art Trail. Each artist was invited to transform a bilby into a unique work of art, inspired by their own ideas, experiences and connections.
Meet the artists behind the bilbies and discover the stories, inspiration and creativity behind each one.
a little about Anna
I am Anna Battle, a colourful, contemporary artist and designer based in Toowoomba. Art has been in my bones since childhood – my mother, Diana Battle, is an artist and my grandfather a photographer – and I have been creating all my life. I sketched my way through a Business Degree and a career as an Army Officer before landing exactly where I belong – making art full time.
I work primarily in vibrant watercolour and acrylic, and my style is joyful, bold and unapologetically colourful. I'm inspired by the William Morris philosophy that everything in your life should be both useful and beautiful, so I create original paintings alongside homewares, stationery and patterns designed to bring warmth and colour into everyday spaces.
My greatest inspiration is people. I truly believe that art helps everyone lead a richer life, and that seeing the world through an artist's eyes builds gratitude and mindfulness. That belief is at the heart of my online teaching community, Shiny Happy Art, where I offer over 100 courses in drawing, watercolour and acrylics. I also love hosting in-person workshops, pop-up events and art holidays.
Whatever I am doing, my mission stays the same: to spread the joy of drawing and painting.
the original concept
Theme: Wilding – The Charleville Bilby
The Original Concept:
I love the colours that flowers allow me, as an artist, to play with. So, I propose that the bilby's body becomes a lush celebration of Australian nature on a blue sky – every inch alive with colour and story. Essentially it is a study of how the bilby is truly one with, and reflects, the habitat it lives in.
Flora covering the body, legs, ears and face: Flannel flowers – Grevillea – Wattle – Paper daisies – Kangaroo paw – Bottlebrush
Fauna looping around the figure in a ring of flight: Zebra Finch – Sulphur-crested Cockatoo – Rainbow Bee-eater – Rainbow Lorikeet – Kookaburra
Hidden treasures tucked into the foliage: Bees – Bugs – Beetles – maybe a tiny spider or butterfly as well.
Six bilbies. Six artists. One big community story. Follow the Charleville Bilby Art Trail, discover the artwork, capture a photo and help us shine a light on the endangered bilby.
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