I painted "The Gaulois Rooster" on everything possible: a handmade clutch, a pillow, even tea towels! I also used this motif in class. Since it was so popular, I decided to also paint it in black and white. The French newspaper "Le Canard Enchaine" was the perfect background for this new adventure. Then, this great idea came to mind: "What about painting some red areas on the black and white rooster to connect with the red titles of the newspaper?"

When I look at this painting, I smile and laugh a little inside. Do you know how we say rooster in French: le coq. And the translation for "Le Canard Enchaine" is "The Duck in Chains." I don't think I need to further explain the innuendos here! Anyway, this newspaper is well known in France for its satirical journalism, many jokes, and humorous cartoons. So, my bawdy humour fits in pretty well with the spirit of the whole piece.

This painting also received the 3rd place at the 2014 Grafton Art Festival in mixed media painting - a happy surprise!