Illawarra pencil artist Kayla Reay has found there’s loads of benefits to running her own small business. There’s the sense of community with fellow creatives, being able to chat to and share passions with her customers, and also being able to keep a close eye on her three co-workers.
As the boss she’s worked hard to foster great relationships, giving all three free rein of the house while she’s working, providing them with native plants to enjoy and not minding the little bit of chaos they bring as they do laps around the place. I should probably point out that I’m referring to her much-loved sources of inspiration, budgies Barley, Farro and Buckwheat.
Kayla is a self-described avid bird nerd and the tagline for her business is "art for the bird lover, by a bird lover". But it’s more than that. It’s also a love letter to the natural beauty of the local area.
“I grew up in Wollongong as a very outdoorsy person and have always found nature to be a source of inspiration. It’s hard for it not to, here in Wollongong: with the gorgeous mountains to the west, the ocean to the east and an array of vibrant birdlife speckled between,” she said.
While some of us were making sourdough and day drinking, Kayla used the Covid lockdowns to launch her business.
“I’d just graduated Uni and lost shifts at my face-to-face retail job so I suddenly had a lot of time on my hands. After a lifetime of contemplating pursuing art as a means of income, I threw myself into it!” she said.
“I genuinely don’t think I would have taken that terrifying leap if not for the ‘well, what else do I have going on?’ mindset that lockdown put a lot of us into.”
She started with ‘Bird Bouquets’, a series of pencil artworks featuring iconic Aussie birds perched amongst vibrant native Australian flowers. I’ve got a soft spot for both and, trust me, putting the fan-favourite 'bin chicken' aka Australian White Ibis atop of a bouquet of proteas and banksia is genius. And don't even get me started on the Tawny Frogmouth! The collection is still growing and is featured as part of her 2025 calendar (available for pre-order with some cheeky gifts thrown in here).
“I’d describe my art style as realism,” Kayla explained, “but I can go very dramatic with my use of colour in my attempt to highlight just how vibrant, joyful and unique our local birdlife is. Sometimes I honestly feel that nature is the true artist, and I’m simply drawing what I see.”
And while it took a global pandemic for Kayla to launch her business, its success still comes as a bit of a shock.
“I think ‘success’ as a creative is often talked about like it’s a make-believe concept,” she said.
“I won’t deny, it’s certainly not the lifestyle to pursue if you want a consistent and predictable income but that doesn’t mean there’s no success in it at all.
“Even this deep into running my business, I’m still over the moon every time an online order comes through. The thrill of realising that someone wants to hang MY silly little bird drawings on their wall just never gets old.”
Follow Kayla on Facebook, Instagram, shop on her website and find her at Wollongong Makers Markets on November 9 and 10, when you can talk all things bird with her.