Georgia artist’s sketch with Steve Irwin goes viral in wake of deadly Australia fires

An artist living in Georgia is hoping that her viral sketch will bring peace of mind to the people of her home country of Australia during the devastating bushfires.

Shania-Mae Sturm II’s sketch of a set of animals being welcome by the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin into heaven has gone viral after she posted it Dec. 30 to her Sketchy Koala Facebook page, where she sells her art as a side business. The viral sketch currently has over 29,000 shares.

She lived in Kambalda, Western Australia, up until March 2019 when she moved to America to be with her husband in Georgia.

She still has family that lives in Australia, where bushfires have claimed the lives of 25 people and caused widespread destruction to the area.

“It’s absolutely devastating. This is by far the worst I’ve seen the fires. It’s all I see on my newsfeed, flames, dead animals, worn-out firefighters and devastated Aussies,” Sturm II said in a Facebook message to the Telegraph. “I feel so bad for everyone, I wish I could send the Georgian rain to Australia. … I do miss Australia, it will always be part of who I am.”

Her love for art was cultivated as a child in Australia as she began drawing at age 5. She spent much of her time drawing and watching Irwin’s Crocodile Hunter on TV. It was there that she found a love for animals.

While laying in bed one night stressing about her family being near the bushfires and the animals that could be in harm’s way, she got the idea to put together the sketch that blended her passion with a childhood hero.

“My mind wandered to the animals and how they would be so confused and stressed, then this idea popped in my head,” she said. “The animals who have passed on are now safe in Steve Irwin’s arms.”

The sketch can found on her Facebook page as well as Instagram @therealsketchykoala. She hopes that her art can have a small impact on the place that she has called home for her whole life.

“I really hope my drawing brings peace of mind and hopefully a relieved smile to the people who see it,” she said. “It makes my heart warm every time I think of it. All the animals are safe and in a far better place now.”

This story was originally published January 6, 2020 at 2:46 PM.