About Keama
Writer
Ever since I was a child, I’ve been fascinated by birds. Their colours, their unique
calls, and their cheeky personalities have always brought me joy. Over the years
I’ve spent countless hours simply watching them, marvelling at the way they
move, interact, and brighten up the world around us.
Outside of my love for birds, I work as an emergency nurse and am also a proud
mum. In my spare time, birdwatching became a way to slow down and reconnect
with nature. What started as keeping a simple list of the birds I spotted soon
grew into something much bigger when I picked up a camera. Photography
opened a new way for me to capture and share these wonderful creatures, and
my passion has only continued to grow as I travel to find different species across
Australia.
This book is my way of sharing that love with the next generation. I hope it
encourages children to stop, look up, and notice the amazing birdlife that
surrounds them every day. Some of our most common birds, like cockatoos,
are also some of the most remarkable, and I wanted to bring their beauty and
character to life on the page. Creating this children’s book has been such a
rewarding experience, and I hope it will become something my kids (one day my
grandkids), can cherish while sparking a lifelong appreciation of birds in others
too.
Check out my photos www.instagram.com/bird_nerd_keamz
Artist + Illustrator
About Stacey
I’m never happier than when I’ve got a paintbrush in hand and a splash of paint on me.
Art has always been where I feel most myself.
I was born in Australia but spent much of my childhood in the UK, where I fell in love with nature—and especially birds—on long walks with my dad, spotting sparrows, red kites, blue tits, and robins. Those early moments watching wildlife definitely planted the seeds for my creative journey.
When I returned to Geelong at 17, I studied Graphic Design at The Gordon TAFE and later at the Australian Academy of Design. After an exciting career as a graphic artist—with my designs featured on The Block and in major retailers—I took the leap into full-time freelance art in 2022. My work is all about joy, colour, and beauty. I love exploring different styles, mediums, and subjects—really, whatever sparks that little spark of inspiration! I also run painting classes across regional Victoria and absolutely love sharing creativity with the community. In 2023, I began studying Art Therapy to deepen my understanding of how art can heal, connect, and inspire. It’s been such a rewarding journey.
I was thrilled to work on the illustrations and design for Who’s Who of Cockatoos—such a gorgeous project! It was a true honour to bring Keama’s words to life through my art, and I’m so proud of this beautiful book. It feels like a full-circle moment—those birdwatching days with my dad inspiring artwork that now celebrates Australia’s incredible birdlife.
staceywilliamsartist.com
