Ann Owen Art

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Painting birds, botanicals & wildlife · NT
Darwin studio · originals & commissions
🎨 Top End colour on every page
👇 Explore my works below
Shop: www.annowen.com.au

26/08/2026

Meet the newest character on the easel — and yes, I know he's not exactly Top End wildlife, but hear me out.

I came across a photo of this cocky little show rooster and something about him just said "different." There's a real personality in farm birds, isn't there — even if you didn't grow up around them, there's something instantly familiar about a rooster who clearly thinks he owns the yard.
Once I started thinking about how to get the light catching that comb just right, I couldn't stop until he was finished. That eye is doing all the talking — I don't think much gets past him.

Original watercolour, 28×38cm, painted on 640gsm cotton archival paper.
Message me if you'd like to bring him home.

25/08/2026

Meet Dorrie.
If you grew up watching Number 96, that name just landed with a thud of recognition, didn't it? Dorrie Evans — the block's resident busy-body, always peeping out from behind the curtains, keeping half an eye on everyone else's business.
The moment I finished painting this emu's face, there was genuinely no other name that would do. That tilted head, that "I see you" look — she's got exactly the same energy.
I have a real soft spot for emus. Everyone thinks of them as the dowdy ones — all brown and black next to the flashier birds — but I don't see it that way at all. Give one of these lanky, scruffy Territory characters some proper vivid colour and she holds her own against anything with fancy plumage.
Dorrie's got more personality in that one sideways glance than most of the "beautiful" birds I paint.
Original watercolour, 28×38cm, painted on 640gsm archival cotton paper. $550. She's up on the website now and ready to find her new home.

23/08/2026

The exhibition is over and I am still smiling.

Top End Characters at Darwin Visual Arts has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my artistic life — not just for the paintings sold, but for the people. Artists, art lovers, old friends and new ones. The conversations in that gallery over the past three weeks were extraordinary.

A number of paintings have found wonderful new homes — some staying right here in Darwin, while others are heading interstate. Thank you to every collector who chose to bring one of these characters into their lives. It means more than you know.

A very special thank you to my brilliant co-exhibitors — Yuka, Brendan, Michael, Joseph, Maggie and Carly — you made this shared exhibition something truly special. To everyone who visited, messaged, shared and cheered from the sidelines — I felt every single one of you.

And yes — next year's exhibition is already on the horizon. Watch this space. 🎨

Darwin Visual Arts · Ann Owen Art

16/08/2026

One week left to meet the characters.

Top End Characters is part of the Darwin Festival and on at Darwin Visual Arts until 22 August. If you've been meaning to come in — this is the week to do it.
I'll be in the gallery this Saturday 10am–2pm and would love to see you there.
Free entry · Original watercolours · 14 Top End characters waiting to meet you.

📍 Darwin Visual Arts · 1/8 McMinn St · Harbour View Plaza · Darwin City
🕐 Wed 12–5pm · Thurs & Fri 10am–5pm · Sat 10am–2pm

31/07/2026

Tonight is the night. 🎉

Top End Characters opens at Darwin Visual Arts in just a few hours — and I am standing in this gallery absolutely overwhelmed by how it all looks.

I need to say a very public thank you to my two bossy, wonderfully OCD installation helpers — Trev and my dear friend Maree — who showed up, measured everything twice (and then measured it again), argued with me about centimetres, and made sure every single character was perfectly placed on the wall.
I could not have done this without them.

Also making a very important cameo — my junior art critic, whose verdict on Putting on the Ritz was acknowledged. High praise indeed.

Tonight — Friday 31 July, 6–8pm
Darwin Visual Arts · 1/8 McMinn St, Harbour View Plaza, Darwin City
Free entry — come and meet the full cast! 🌿

24/07/2026

Just landed! 🎉
My digital catalogue, all 14 works from my Top End Characters exhibition — and if you can't make it to exhibition, message me with your email address and I'll send you a copy.
Every character.
Every story.
Every price.
All in one place.
Top End Characters · Darwin Visual Arts · Opening night Friday 31 July, 6–8pm · Free entry 🌿

22/07/2026

Allow me to introduce the latest character. 🎭

Meet The Bush Comedian — a Blue-winged Kookaburra who has been sitting on that branch with the air of someone who has seen absolutely everything and remains thoroughly unimpressed. That electric blue wing flash is genuine — Blue-winged Kookaburras carry that iridescent blue as their trademark, and this one wears it like he knows it.
The kookaburra has always been Australia's bush comedian. This one is taking the role very seriously indeed.

One week to opening night. Come and meet the full cast.
📅 Friday 31 July, 6–8pm — free entry
📍 Darwin Visual Arts, 1/8 McMinn St, Harbour View Plaza, Darwin City

21/07/2026

Three more characters to introduce — and this lot have serious personality. 🎭

Judgemental is a Red Emperor who has clearly seen it all and found it wanting. That eye passes judgement — and it is rarely favourable. If you've ever gone fishing in Top End waters you'll know exactly this face.

Boss Cocky — in outback Australia, the Boss Cocky is the one who runs the show. That sulphur crest, that eye, that expression of absolute authority. George would have approved. 😄

The Jillaroo is an Emu who woke up like this and has absolutely no plans to change. Wild-haired, amber-eyed, running on pure outback energy. In the bush a jillaroo is a female station hand — capable, tough, and nobody's idea of delicate. This one fits perfectly.

Less than two weeks until opening night. Come and meet the full cast in person. 🌿
📅 Friday 31 July, 6–8pm — free entry
📍 Darwin Visual Arts, 1/8 McMinn St, Harbour View Plaza, Darwin City
🕐 Wed 12–5pm · Thurs & Fri 10am–5pm · Sat 10am–2pm

09/07/2026

Three weeks to go — and three more characters to introduce. 🎭

Things That Shriek in the Dark is a Bush Stone-curlew who has been raising his family in my garden every year for as long as I can remember. Completely uninvited. Entirely unapologetic. That sideways glare is not a threat — it's just how he looks at everyone.

Hang On is a Green Tree Frog mid-climb, with that wonderful expression of absolute focus that frogs do so well. If you've lived in the Top End you'll know these little characters turn up everywhere — windows, walls, shower recesses, your coffee cup if you leave it unattended.

And Pretty in Pink — a Galah who is frankly the best dressed character in the entire exhibition and is very much aware of it.

Three weeks until opening night. Come and meet them all in person.

📅 Opening night: Friday 31 July, 6–8pm — free entry
📍 Darwin Visual Arts, 1/8 McMinn St, Harbour View Plaza, Darwin City
🕐 Wed 12–5pm · Thurs & Fri 10am–5pm · Sat 10am–2pm

26/06/2026

Allow me to introduce three more characters. 🎭
The Territorian — a Pied Heron who carries himself with the quiet confidence of someone who knows the Northern Territory was formally named after his species. That golden eye doesn't miss a thing.
Who Me? — a Ringtail Possum who was absolutely not in your mango tree last night and has witnesses.
And The Admiral — a White-bellied Sea Eagle who has been watching over Darwin Harbour long before any of us thought to paint him. He doesn't need to raise his voice. He never has.

These three join the growing cast at Top End Characters, opening at Darwin Visual Arts on Friday 31 July, 6–8pm. Free entry. Come and meet them all in person. 🌿
📍 1/8 McMinn St, Harbour View Plaza, Darwin City

Address

Darwin City, NT

Website

Https://www.annowen.com.au/

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