Australia Felix series − Cradle Mountain

Australia Felix is the title for the suite of ten etchings by Central Victorian artist, Jeff Makin, inspired by the Australian landscape. In 1836 the explorer, Major Mitchell coined the Latin phrase Australia Felix, which losely translates to mean 'the lucky country' to describes the landscape south of the Murray river. In these etchings, Makin depicts the beauty and diversity of the Australian landscape spanning acacia and grass trees in Margaret River, Western Australia to boabs and emus in the Northern Territory. Cradle Mountain, with its dolerite peaks reflecting in the picturesque waters of Lake Dove Tasmania, is a powerful symbol of a pristine environment. (This information comes from the title page from the Australia Felix suite of etchings). Jeff Makin was born in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia in 1943 and is recognised as one of Australia's leading landscape painters. He has an extensive exhibition career and his work is represented in national, state and many regional galleries throughout Australia.