Some neighbors ask permission. Others just move in and make themselves comfortable. Mischievous Miss is definitely the second type. A brushtail possum who's figured out suburban life and decided she likes it here, thank you very much.
The Moment of Inspiration
Once thing about living in Australia is no matter where you go, there's usually one (unless maybe if your on the 10th floor but look down and you will probably see her). The regular. That possum who shows up every night like she owns the place.
This particular one would sit on the fence line and just... watch me watching her. Like we were having this silent negotiation about who belonged where. (Spoiler alert: she always won.)
That slight tilt of her head. Those bright, alert eyes that seemed to say, "Yeah, I ate your plants. What are you gonna do about it?" Pure suburban confidence.
The Creative Process
Starting from black gessoed paper, I wanted to capture that exact moment. The fence-sitting standoff. The mutual assessment. That look that says she's not apologizing for anything.
Her pose had to be perfect. Alert but relaxed. Present but not defensive. The posture of someone who's made herself at home and isn't asking for approval.
I focused on her eyes. Bright. Intelligent. Just a little bit smug. (In the best possible way.) The kind of expression that makes you think she's probably smarter than half the humans on the street.
What the Artwork Represents
Mischievous Miss is unapologetic authenticity. She's figured out how to live exactly where she wants to live, how she wants to live. No permission requested. No apologies offered. She's for anyone who's ever had to claim their space. Who's had to decide they belong somewhere even when others might disagree. (We've all been there.)
There's something deeply satisfying about her quiet confidence. She doesn't need to be loud or dramatic. She just shows up, does her thing, and somehow makes it work.
Living with Mischievous Miss
She works in spaces that need a little rebellious energy.
Home offices where you're building something unconventional. Kitchens where experimental cooking happens. Anywhere someone's living life on their own terms.
Her monochrome presence says, "Rules are more like... suggestions."
But in a charming way.
Not destructive rebellion.
Just the kind that says you're writing your own story.
Whether she's hanging in an entryway (greeting guests with that knowing look) or watching over a workspace, she brings that energy of someone who's made peace with taking up space. (Something we could all use more of.)
The Suburban Truth
Here's what I love most about possums like Mischievous Miss: they've completely adapted to living with humans without losing any of their wild authenticity.
They're not trying to be pets. They're not trying to be invisible. They're just being themselves in a world that wasn't originally designed for them.
Kind of inspiring, really.
Mischievous Miss is available as an original artwork, fine art prints and print bundles.
→ View the Original | → Shop the Prints
Sometimes the best neighbors are the ones who refuse to feel guilty about taking up space. Mischievous Miss has this figured out perfectly.
