Mel has recently been investigating the effects of light and colour refracted through diamonds in larger than life paintings, creating realistic illusions on a grand scale that turn abstract on closer inspection. Mel cannot resist the idea of a diamond-esque penguin, with facets of tone mixed with reflective mirror texture, to create the appearance of a solid jewel bird. She says, “I see this as being both a stunning visual illusion and play on words – ‘ice’ being the Antarctic habitat of the penguin and slang for blingy diamonds”.