From Trial And Error To Award-Winning Art Bringing The Jacana To Life In Glass

Fran Nason, winner of the Local Artist category in the 11^th Hinchinbrook Birdlife Art Awards, 2026. Photo credit: Victoria Velton

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By Victoria Velton

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Local participation in the Hinchinbrook Birdlife Art Awards has continued to grow, with local artists accounting for 43 per cent of all artworks entered this year. That compares with 23 per cent in 2025 and 19 per cent in 2024. And while a local artist has not taken out the highest honour in the Open Awards since 2024, that has not deterred locals from squaring up against artists from across Australia on their home turf.

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For Fran Nason, receiving the Local Artist Award at the 11th Hinchinbrook Birdlife Art Awards reflected the encouragement she has received from the local community throughout her creative journey. The recognition has given her another reason to keep creating, developing her skills and improving her art.

Fran received the award for her glass sculptural artwork, Jacana Wading, a piece inspired by the small bird found around the wetlands of TYTO.

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“I was quite excited to receive it,” Fran said.  

“I feel very appreciated by getting the Local Artist Award.”

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For Fran, maintaining a connection with the community is an important part of her artistic process. Regular appearances at local markets have allowed her to build relationships with people who inspire and support her when they keep returning to see hernewest works.

“It’s the people when I go to the markets,” she said.  

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“A lot of locals come and see me to see if I’ve got any other new creations.”

Jacana Wading began with a goal to depict a bird that was connected to the region, within its natural habitat. Fran researched the jacana, considered its colours and drew up a pattern before beginning the piece.

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A second prototype then became the award-winning sculpture, after Fran decided the pond and water lily needed to be larger to give the artwork greater perspective.

"I've only started making birds like that since I've moved to the Hinchinbrook area,” Fran said.  

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“I love those challenges where you have to think it all out.”  

That willingness to experiment is a defining part of Fran’s artistic process. She is continually learning new techniques, including using enamel paints to add detail and glass powders to create shading.

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Her journey into fused glass has been largely self-taught. Now, Fran has worked with the medium for more than 20 years, initially creating flat works and plates before developing her sculptural style over the past five years. Adding wire allowed her to transform her glasswork into three-dimensional sculptures.

“I’m continually learning, and that’s great,” Fran said.  

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“I love that I’m continually learning and making, improving my art.”

Fran focuses on developing a style of her own, with her quirky creations designed to make people smile.  

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Her work can be found at the TYTO Art Gallery shop and local markets, where she also accepts commissions and often takes suggestions from customers.

"I'm just a small fish you could say, but it's what I enjoy," Fran said.

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"What I'm doing, I do because I like making people happy with my art."

Her next major exhibition piece is already in the planning stages, with Fran preparing for the next 48th Hinchinbrook Art Awards later this year.

While she is keeping the subject under wraps, she knows it will be something local.

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For Fran, art is ultimately about the connections she makes with the natural environment, with the community and with the people who stop to admire her work.

“If I didn’t have people supporting me, then I’d have no reason to do it.”

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