AFTER pecking around under the radar for several years, Helen the Hen has been launched to supermodel status, the star of the latest water tank mural by south-west artist, Jimmy Buscombe.

Merino Consolidated School’s resident Isa Brown takes centre stage in the artwork, a project several years in the making but which finally came to fruition, last week.

School principal, Genevieve Hulin said she had initiated the idea in 2021, developing a plan to turn the plain water tank located at the school’s entrance, into a feature which could be enjoyed by both students and passers-by and create a greater connection between the school and the community.

“The tank is in a whimsical setting, right at the school’s front gate, on top of a hill on a typical country road,” she said.

“Anything could happen there – farmers moving their cows past our place, people driving past to check on stock, a couple of locals do their morning walks past there, visitors might be driving past or even stopping now, because it’s a nice place for a picnic.

“Putting an artwork on the tank was an idea to get our school out there a bit more, to create a talking point and something which would draw the community together.”

Making national headlines in 2018 after his 3D painting of a wombat ‘accidentally’ became a permanent fixture on a Warrnambool railway bridge, Jimmy has taken his talent for giving personality and colour to animals in murals across the country.

His work includes a pair of 10-metre high Gang Gang cockatoos, given immortality in late February in a tank mural at Murrumbateman, located about 30 kilometres north-west of Canberra.

Ms Hulin, who worked with the now renowned artist “in a past life” said he was the obvious choice when commissioning the piece.

“He was a chef at (a Warrnambool restaurant) and I was waitressing there,” she said.

“I had no idea he was an artist until he made headlines with the wombat artwork.

“When we had the idea for the tank, we thought he would be the first choice if we could commission the work … we reached out, but didn’t have high hopes because he’s travelling all over Australia now doing this work, but after a little bit of back-and-forth communication, we got it done.

“I’m really proud to be able to instigate the project, really proud for our school and also for community, to have that connective artwork space.

“We’re now on the silo and water tower art trail, which hopefully brings more people through town.”

The Merino mural project took just four days to complete, with students making the short each day to watch the artist at work and learn some of his valuable tricks of the trade.

“As part of his work, he works with the students, does workshops in regards to his chalk design and 3D work,” Ms Hulin said.

“We didn’t have time for a full workshop, but he’s provided workbooks for the students, after he did the initial demo, so we have those to carry on with.”

A much-loved part of the school community, Isa Brown Helen was selected as the centrepiece for the artwork and her photograph was sent to Jimmy prior to his arrival.

Her finished likeness, complete with flamingo floatie, a ‘lifeguard’ turtle, ready to rescue one of her eggs and several other characters, familiar to the area, his named the Merino Consolidated School Aquarium and has the tick of approval from the students.

“It’s so cool, I love the realistic design … it really looks like Helen,” student Charli Williams said.

And has her new-found fame gone to Helen’s head?

Absolutely!

“When we were taking the photos after the mural was complete, she was obviously feeling very famous, really working the angles,” Ms Hulin said.

“Glenda went out and bought her the flamingo floatie and she’s definitely feeling the love … we’re a bit worried her diva side might start acting up!”