Sophie Corks, a mother of two daughters living in regional New South Wales, Australia, started creating nostalgic backyard paintings two years ago, capturing scenes of everyday life including picket fences, native cockatoos and magpies, children's toys scattered across lawns, and outdoor furniture positioned near rotary clotheslines. Her artistic journey took an unexpected turn when she discovered her distinctive style was being reproduced and sold without her consent.

The backyard paintings hold deep personal meaning for Corks, who describes them as representing "feelings of both isolation and joy" while watching her daughters grow up in their rural community. Her artwork captures the essence of Australian suburban life through intimate domestic scenes that resonate with families across the country.

Corks began developing this unique artistic style as a way to document and celebrate the simple moments of family life in regional Australia. The paintings feature quintessentially Australian elements including the distinctive wildlife that frequents suburban backyards and the iconic hills hoist clothesline that has become a symbol of Australian homes.

The discovery that her artistic style was being commercially exploited without permission has raised important questions about intellectual property rights and copyright protection for visual artists. This situation highlights the challenges contemporary artists face in protecting their creative work in an increasingly digital marketplace where artistic styles can be easily copied and mass-produced.

The incident has brought attention to the broader issues surrounding art theft and unauthorized reproduction of artistic works, particularly affecting independent artists who may lack the resources to pursue legal action against copyright infringement. Corks' experience serves as a cautionary tale for other artists about the importance of protecting their intellectual property and monitoring how their work is being used commercially.