Kayla Reay is an Australian traditional artist creating playful, story-driven artworks inspired by our beloved birdlife. Each piece begins by hand with coloured pencils, bringing out the unique personalities and humour found in everyday Australian birds.
They have created a wonderful range of wildlife workers, now available at Lonely Kids Club on t-shirts. You can shop the whole range here, or scroll down to read more about a few of our favourites:
Original artwork featuring Kyle the Comedian, who is a Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae).
Kyle is a young Laughing Kookaburra currently working the open mic circuit around his local pubs, delivering what he considers exceptional stand-up comedy. After recently graduating from his local high school where he was known as the class clown (or, depending who you ask, a public nuisance), Kyle is taking a gap year to hone his craft. Between gigs, he's starting a raw and unfiltered podcast with his school mate, which he describes as "just chats, footy takes and a bit of cultural commentary. Nothing too hectic."
If you catch Kyle at a local venue, you’ll quickly discover he loves to laugh at his own jokes. He drowns out the awkward crowd silence after he delivers a punch line with a loud, raucous cackle that will last for a good thirty seconds, conveniently covering up the sounds of a few audience members awkwardly sliding out of their chairs and heading for the door. On stage and off, Kyle is quick to escape any accountability with his over-used catchphrase: "Lighten up, it was only a joke."
Original artwork featuring Gail the Chip Shop attendant, who is a European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus).
Gail is a tempestuous Herring Gull and proud owner of Blowing a Gale Takeaway, a fish and chip shop on the coast of Cornwall, England. With feathers greased from a lifetime working in the fast-paced shop, Gail is an undisputed queen of salty sarcasm and short temper which has resulted in her shop receiving mixed reviews online (although she wouldn’t know of it). “NUMBER 54, COME COLLECT YOUR CHIPS BEFORE THEY’RE SNATCHED UP!” She’ll screech, her shrill tone tearing across the quaint seaside town.
Gail runs a tight-ship and prefers to work alone but on occasion, Gail’s husband joins her in the chaotic kitchen. Gavin’s presence often adds a matrimonial mayhem to the already loud proceedings at Blowing a Gale Takeaway. Despite her grumpy exterior, Gail is a culinary expert in all things deep-fried and serves up nothing but the best. Gail has recently snatched up the title of “Best Hot Chips in Cornwall”, bestowed upon her by her doting husband.
Original artwork featuring Baz the Bin Man, who is an Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis molucca).
Baz is a loud and proud Australian White Ibis who works for Sydney’s Inner West Council as a Bin Man. Every day, Baz can be spotted on the streets of Sydney’s Inner West suburbs, collecting rubbish and slurping up bin juice like it’s a scrumptious milkshake.
Baz isn’t ignorant to his reputation. He knows many perceive him as nothing but a dirty bin chook, who’s rough around the edges and doesn’t value his own appearance. But in reality, Baz is a laid-back yet confident natured Ibis who approaches every challenge in life with a “yeah nah, she’ll be right” attitude. Baz’ ability to adapt so effortlessly to new and tough situations is what makes him so resilient to hard yakka. He's pulled all sorts of unsavoury items from people's bins over the years - from half-eaten Vegemite sandwiches to a bottle of VB scented perfume - yet not a single squawk of complaint has escaped his beak.
While haters might view Baz as nothing more than a dirty bin diver, he challenges them to trade places and sift through the muck he confidently slurps his way through every day. Haters are gonna hate, but Baz is gonna keep binning on.
Original artwork featuring Damian the Demolisher, who is a Sulfur-Crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita).
Damian - better known as Damo - is a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo with a love for destruction. Raised in a broken home (mostly because he personally broke it), Damo's passion for carnage has led him to pursue the obvious career choice: demolition.
Outside of work, Damo loves hanging out with his crew of equally mischievous cockies and chewing through his neighbours' verandas. However, being mates with Damo can come at a cost. Especially when Damo once took the encouragement to "bring down the house" at a mate's house party a little too literally.
Negative feedback? That’s just encouragement. Tell him to stop, and he’ll just go harder. If you need a job done quickly, efficiently, and with absolutely no regard for structural integrity, Damo’s your bird.
Original artwork featuring Fraser the Fisherman, who is an African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus).
Hailing from the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, Fraser is as optimistic as his hometown’s namesake. Early each morning, this fisherman penguin can be spotted waddling down to the thrashing waves of the Atlantic, adorning his signature bucket hat and fishing gear. By sunset Fraser returns to his waiting colony, hauling with him a seafood extravaganza for them all to feast on. His penguin peers are unsure if it’s a lucky charm or if Fraser’s humble façade hides a fiercely competitive drive, but they cannot deny the freshly caught feasts that he always returns with.
Beyond his fishing escapades, Fraser is considered somewhat of a stand-up comedian amongst his colony. He takes advantage of the captive audiences that his fishing hauls attract and uses the opportunity to trial his freshest jokes. Between his infectious honking laugh, sharp wit and superior fishing skills, there is no doubt that Fraser brings an invaluable joy to the lives of every penguin at the Cape of Good Hope.
Original artwork featuring Denny the Drummer, who is a Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus).
Denny is a Palm Cockatoo with a penchant for punk rock and an attitude as spiky as their thickly gelled mohawk. Decked out in an all-black ensemble, this young rebel wields their drumsticks like a pro as they pound out beats that rattle the rafters of their dad's garage.
Denny is convinced that no one truly understands them. Growing up in a conventional nest where conformity was prized, Denny always felt like the odd bird out, preferring the raucous sounds of punk over the soothing melodies of their tropical rainforest home. Denny yearns for the freedom of the road, craving the rockstar lifestyle and the thrill of performing to adoring fans. Despite being made to feel like an 'other' their whole life, Denny takes pride in their individuality and is determined to continue to march to the beat of their own drum.
