Max arrived at exactly the right moment.

I was sitting in my studio wondering whether I was really good enough to make a career from my art when a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo landed on the balcony railing outside. They never do that. He stayed for ages, watching me as I watched him. I knew then I had to paint a cockatoo.

The drama of this one stopped me — that enormous yellow crest, his wonderfully puffed feathers hiding his beak and the calm, watchful look in his eye. I kept the background dark and quiet, giving him room to be exactly what he is — impossible to ignore.

I called him Max for his unapologetic look at me attitude.

For me, Max is a reminder to keep going and trust the work, and to keep noticing the wild around us, because perhaps that's where caring begins.

Acrylic and oil on canvas · 76 × 76 cm (30 × 30") · Original

Painted from a reference photograph from Shutterstock.