Local artist shines

Rachel Gyan has designed cards for Australia post. (Damjan Janevski) 384162_02

A Williamstown artist has her work printed on a range of uniquely Australian greeting cards.

Inspired by Australian landscapes and botanicals, First Nations artwork and modern Aussie culture, the new range of 100 greeting cards will replace an existing card selection in more than 450 post offices nationwide.

Local artist Rachel Gyan has been in Williamstown for close to a decade, and said nature has always been her artistic compass.

“I’ve been sketching outdoors since I was knee-high and over the past five or so years I dove into birding, and that passion spilled over into my art as well,” she said.

“Andrew Hogg Design discovered my work on Instagram, we bonded over our mutual love of birding and stamps and collaborated on the Aussie Bird Count stamp series for AusPost which was released back in August. I was absolutely elated with the outcome of the design and illustration.

“AusPost asked me back for more birds as part of their all-Aussie made greeting card release, and of course any chance to illustrate birds – I’m in.

“Capturing the essence of Australian wildlife and habitat in my art is a priority. Our wildlife is downright quirky and beautiful, and I aim to showcase its uniqueness. I love to highlight Australia’s diverse fauna and flora and hopefully, it sparks appreciation and support for our native ecosystem.”

Australia Post retail product general manager Kayla Le Cornu emphasised the importance of championing an exclusively Australian range.

“With more than 260,000 greeting cards sold each year at Post Offices, we are proud to offer an authentically Australian range of greeting cards and paper products that mark a variety of special celebrations and traditions and also deliver on our commitment to sustainability,” she said.

“We work closely with communities every day, so it feels right to partner with artists from across the country to curate a beautiful range of cards that will be treasured by family and friends.”

Gerald Lynch