2025 WORKSHOP B: COCKATOO 3D WORKSHOP © Allrights reserved.
Image (c) Mosaic made by student in OzMosaics Workshop Weekend - Cathy C.
The mosaic photo shows Josephina almost finished. Awaiting curing of thinset and then a good scrub, polish and shine. More mosaic highlights will be added to the background and Cathy may add more mosaic flowers at home!
A True Feathered Love Story: Josephina & Herky
Once upon a time, Sandy and David were the proud "parents" of a cheeky, charismatic white cockatoo named Joey. But, as life often surprises us, Joey turned out to be female—and so, she was rightfully renamed Josephina, a name befitting her grace and personality. Josephina didn’t rule the garden alone. She had a lifelong companion, a pink Australian Galah named Hercules—affectionately known as Herky. From the moment they met, the two birds were inseparable, forming a bond that lasted decades.
True Love in Feathers! Side by side in the garden, Josephina and Herky were more than friends—they were soulmates. When they walked, they would hold their inner claws together, strolling as one, like an old married couple who had long since perfected their synchronized routine. They were known and loved by everyone who visited Sandy’s home—two icons of feathered affection.
The Day the Laughter Faded
Josephina lived a long, beautiful life, but when she passed away from old age, Herky was devastated. In a heartbreaking turn, Herky couldn’t bear to go on without her, and just a week later, he too passed—grieving the love of his life. It was a true love story, told not through words, but through years of companionship, shared moments, and unwavering loyalty.
Cheeky, Clever & True Queenslanders
Their personalities were as big as their wingspans! They could talk, cracking jokes, bossing people around, and bringing endless entertainment. But their biggest passion? State of Origin football! If Queensland was playing, you better believe Josephina and Herky were dancing up and down, squawking, and cheering for the Broncos and the Maroons with the kind of energy that would put even the most passionate fan to shame. True blue Queenslanders, feathered and fierce!
Herky’s Great Escape & His Hilarious Return!
Like any legendary bird, Herky once escaped and went on an adventure—probably thinking he was on a grand mission of discovery. But how do you find one pink galah among hundreds of others? Easy—Herky had a signature trick. He mimicked people’s coughs perfectly, and all David had to do was stand outside and go, cough, cough, cough. Sure enough, from among the sea of galahs, came Herky’s unmistakable reply—cough, cough, cough right back! That was it—Herky was home, found in the most bizarre yet perfect way possible.
And if that wasn’t enough, he loved teasing visitors at OzMosaics.
He would rant out "Who is there?" or "What are you doing?" with such unexpected timing that people would jump, genuinely wondering where the mysterious voice was coming from. It became a legendary joke—Herky, the sneaky pink galah, spying on unsuspecting guests and making sure they knew whose garden they had stepped into! 
A Dedication to Two Legends
Sandy’s Weekend Workshop B is dedicated to Josephina and Herky, the feathered duo who filled the garden with love, laughter, and a bit of football chaos.
Their presence may have left the world, but their spirit remains, woven into every mosaic, every feather detail, and every joyful creative moment shared in Sandy’s workshops. We miss them deeply, but their story reminds us that true love—whether human or feathered—never fades.
Look Out for Herky’s Mural—Coming Up soon!
An upcoming mosaic tribute to Hercules, the beloved pink galah, will ensure his story and his beautiful spirit live on through art. Keep an eye out for this special piece! And wait until you see the photos and videos of the dynamic duo on TheMOS—a tribute to their quirky, loving, and endlessly entertaining presence. They may no longer be squawking in the garden, but their legacy will never be forgotten!
Meet Josephine (or AbFab): The Mosaic Cockatoo With Style
Ah, Josephina the Cockatoo, a bird of grace, elegance, and just enough diva energy to demand artistic perfection. Or maybe she’s AbFab, because frankly, she’s got attitude, flair, and a love for gold accents that would make Patsy and Edina proud. Whatever her name, one thing is clear—she’s here to make a statement, but with refinement and sophistication (well, mostly).
White, Black & The Great Colour Wheel Mystery.
While Josephine/AbFab may be dressed in shades of pure white, black thinset works behind the scenes like a dramatic stage light, giving her the dimension she deserves.
Think of black thinset as the secret ingredient—without it, she’d just be a flat, lost feather in the mosaic abyss. The subtle contrasts create movement, making her look sculpted, layered, and intentionally fabulous. The black grout lines act like contour makeup, defining every feather to perfection (because let’s be honest, even birds deserve good lighting).
Meanwhile, where has Sandy Robertson’s colour wheel gone?
One day it’s all-white mosaic elegance, the next, green accents crash in like a tropical storm and gold details shimmer like buried treasure. It’s as if Josephina herself demanded a wardrobe upgrade, because why settle for plain when you can have shimmering brilliance? If cockatoos had fashion stylists, you’d bet Josephine/AbFab’s would be overzealous and slightly chaotic, armed with glitter, gold foil, and iridescent tesserae.
Mosaic Creation With Cockatoo Personality
Every feather is carefully layered—she’s got depth, dimension, and a presence that says, “Yes, I am this majestic.” The eye? Sharp and knowing, as if she’s judging your thinset application. The beak? Refined but ready to critique, because let's be honest—Josephine knows when your grout isn't mixed properly. She’s not loud, but she’s got presence. She’s not chaotic, but she will make sure your mosaic choices are bold enough to matter. And whether she’s Josephina, AbFab, or just “That Stunning Mosaic Cockatoo With the Unapologetic Sass”, she’ll sit proudly on that mural, forever looking like she knows more about art than you do.
Want a Psychedelic Cockatoo Instead?
Just close your eyes, dip into the tesserae, and let the colours pick themselves. Whatever shades land in your hands, it’s the tesserae shapes and layering that turn it into a bird, not just the colours themselves. A cockatoo in wild neon hues? Why not? Feathered flair comes in all forms!
But Why Has Sandy Gone All-White With the 3D Wildflowers?
Perhaps she misplaced her colour wheel under a pile of crockery shards, or maybe she knows something we don’t—like the power of purity in mosaic form. White in mosaics isn’t a lack of colour, it’s a canvas for texture, light, and subtle contrast. With the right depth, layering, and touches of green and gold, those 3D wildflowers shimmer without screaming for attention. Maybe Sandy is channeling nature’s quiet elegance, or maybe she’s testing our ability to see beauty in simplicity. Either way, Josephina/AbFab the Cockatoo approves—and if she’s rocking all white with perfectly placed accents, then so are the wildflowers. Trust the process, even if it looks like your colour wheel has taken a holiday.
Of course, students may make their mosaic 3D flowers as bright as they wish at home!
