Jeannie Baker’s ‘Circle’ Exhibition had guests in awe of the detailed 3D close-up canvases of her latest book – ‘Circle’. Numerous literary, art and science enthusiasts were fascinated with the large, original artworks. Curator Dale Arvidsson, of the Botanical Gardens, Mt Coot-tha launched the ‘Circle’ Exhibition at Richard Randall Art Studio, Mt Coot-tha.

‘Circle’ was inspired by the longest unbroken migration of the bar-tailed godwits (Limosa lapponica baueri). Jeannie Baker’s passion for the environment and the godwits shorebirds saw her travel to each location to: continue research; gather unique collage materials; and photograph shorebirds, habitats, predators, including outlaying areas.

‘Circle’ Back and Front Cover – Original Collaged Canvas 

Back and front cover 3D collaged artwork.

Back cover, far left – Beach scene with swimmers and godwits shorebirds flying overhead.

Back cover, bottom left – Godwit in flight. Jeannie Baker with Jenny Stubbs, far right.

Front cover, bottom right – Tropical Island with coloured birds.

Before Photos with After Canvases

On-location photographs show images before design work. Photos on the left inspired  Jeannie’s 3D collaged artworks – on the right for ‘Circle’ book.

1. Looking down through window of tall building
2. In plane flying over lakes and land
3. At bird level – camouflaged godwits in ground coverage

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Display Board of Collage Materials

Each canvas reveals layer-upon-layer of grasses, sand, discarded feathers, fabrics, textiles, paper, sea sponge etc., used to depict each scene.

Artwork (left) and a Close-up part (right)

Jeannie Baker’s International reputation as an Artist is well known for her technical, detailed, meticulous and intricate 3D collaged artwork. According to exhibition guests who saw her original hand-constructed canvas scene for the first time said, ‘… this is unbelievable, breathtaking, incredible… .’  Jeannie’s next project will also take about five (5) years.

The Five Year Book Process

After Jeannie’s research, writing and designing stages of her books, she has a lot of discussion between herself, her editor and designer.

‘It’s usual for them to question various details and see ways to communicate my ideas more effectively.’

She then works and reworks her story and art pieces until everyone is satisfied. While working on the canvas collages, she’s still ‘refining and developing ideas and images before it is photographed’ for reproduction. She works on the drawings until she gets to the point where there is ‘no way of taking ideas further’. That’s when the layout drawings are bound into a book and sent to her publisher. Then a few last minute discussions before it goes to print.

Artist Notes – Migrating Godwits Shorebirds 

Jeannie’s book, ‘Circle’ revealed how determined she was about bringing the plight of the godwits and their diminishing habitats to the attention of the world. She was amazed with their…

“11,000km journey from their northern home in Alaska to their southern home in Australia and New Zealand without even stopping to rest. On their return to the north, the godwits need to stop and feed in the wetlands of Southeast Asia, especially those around the Yellow Sea. Wetlands are important for migrating water birds as they provide areas where the birds can rest and find food, enabling them to complete their journeys. The Yellow Sea wetlands are rapidly disappearing as a result of land reclamation and development, and the godwits and other migrating shorebirds are finding it harder and harder to find places where they can rest and feed.

The annual movements across the world, of millions of birds, sea creatures and other animals remind us that everything in nature is interdependent and connected. The changes we make on one side of the world can have consequences in another. The challenge we face now is how to live our lives without destroying the places that are crucial to the shorebirds’ ancient, wondrous Circle of Life.” (Artist Notes)

At ‘Circle’ Exhibition

Dr Rob Clemens, a migratory shorebird expert, spoke at the launch about the local environment of Moreton Bay, Brisbane (Qld, Australia), the shorebirds, and the bay as their home.

Dr Rob Clemens with Jeannie Baker.

Curator Dale Arvidsson launching the Jeannie Baker ‘Circle’ Exhibition.

Richard Randall Art Studio

Jeannie Baker

Vicki-Lee Bower with Jeannie Baker.

Exhibition Times

‘Circle’, Jeannie Baker’s traveling exhibition is…

• Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00am – 2:00pm
• At Richard Randall Art Studio, Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong
• Until Sunday 25th February, 2018.
• Entry is by Gold coin donation.

*Jeannie Baker books will be for sale at the exhibition, until sold out. Her books are available online or at good local bookshops.

Photos at Launch and Exhibition

Curator Dale Arvidsson with Jeannie.

Vicki-Lee Bower and Jeannie Baker

The super book sellers.

The Botanical Gardens, Mt Cootha team looking after Jeannie Baker.

Front L to R: Justine Lawson and Yvonne Mes. Back L to R: Mia Macrossan, Jenny Stubbs, Tyrion Perkins and Sheryl Gwyther.                                                                                                                      Book Links President – Yvonne Mes with Vice-President – Jenny Stubbs ( and Story Arts Festival Ipswich Co-ordintor), and Book Link members from Write Links YA Critique Group Co-orindator – Tyrion Perkins, StoryLinks – Book Review Co-ordinator – Mia Macrossan, Write Links Author/Illustrator Co-ordinator – Justine Lawson. SCBWI Qld President – Sheryl Gwyther.

May Gibbs Children’s Literature Trust, State Co-ordinator – Judith Russell (2nd right) with other literary friends.

Jeannie with special close friends.

Jeannie Baker inspiring our future artists

The young boy, is son of author/illustrator Yvonne Mes and President, Brisbane Book Links (Qld) Inc.

He asks Jeannie Baker, ‘Do you use sea sponges?’

Floral Arrangement

Guests were treated to a spectacular floral arrangement, especially organised for Jeannie Baker, at the Launch’s Auditorium Entrance. Arrangement by Botanical Gardens’ Horticulturalist and Senior Gardener, Marina Leahy.

Bowl: Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree) and Magnolia grandiflora (Bull Bay Magnolia).

For Jeannie.

Curator Dale Arvidsson with Jeannie.

Front podium and back flowers are Backinghamia celsissima (Ivory Curl Tree)

Maria with Marina Leahy, Horticuluralist and Senior Gardener. (40 year+ boarding school friendship)

The ‘Circle’ Exhibition Invitation