About Red Parka: Celebrating Nature and Creativity

We want to help make the world a kinder, happier, safer and more equal place for all human and non-human creatures.

  • Our History

  • Red Parka is the creative business of Tasmanian artists Jennifer Cossins and Tracy Colhoun. Jen began Red Parka back in 2008 with a stall at a local market and a dream to make a living from her artwork.

    Over the years, her business grew until she decided to open her own store in 2015. Not long after this, she met Tracy who soon became her partner in both business and life! Since then, they have worked together to grow Red Parka into the thriving creative Hobart institution that it is today!

    Jen and Tracy share a love of animals, nature, bushwalking and conservation and through their art and business, they aim to constantly strive to make the world a better place. You can read more about our mission below.

Meet Jen and Tracy

  • Jennifer Cossins

    Jennifer is best known for her book 101 Collective Nouns which made headlines in 2018 after Oscar-winning actor Anne Hathaway sparked an international search for the Tasmanian author on The Ellen Show. She is also known in Australia for her book A-Z of Endangered Animals, which was an Honour Book in the 2017 Australian Children’s Book Council awards, and more recently, for Book of Curious Birds which was shortlisted for this award in 2022.

    Jennifer has a passion for the animal kingdom, exploring nature and all things bright and colourful. Her work endeavours to make people smile, laugh, and teach them something new, while encouraging and fostering love and care for the natural world. When not drawing in her home studio, Jen’s favourite place to be is on top of a mountain with a thermos of coffee in hand!

  • Tracy Colhoun

    Originally from South Australia, Tracy has called Tasmania home for 18 years and has no intention of ever leaving! After 20 years as a mental health nurse, Tracy has recently taken the plunge and followed Jennifer into life as a full-time artist. Years of dabbling in the creative arts has now culminated in her becoming known for her quirky ceramic work (only available in store) as well as her artwork which can be found on many products, including prints, cards, gift wrap, socks and jewellery. In early 2022, Tracy released her first early childhood book, My Home, and its success has inspired a soon-to-be-released follow up book.

    Tracy has a deep passion for nature and the environment which is reflected in her work depicting the landscapes, plants and animals of Tasmania. When not elbow deep in clay in her backyard studio, Tracy’s happy place is in the garden with a cup of tea, planting native species and watching the local birds and insects enjoy them!

  • Our Mission

  • From the very beginning, Jen knew she wanted Red Parka to be more than just a business. And now, with Tracy by her side and Red Parka growing, it’s more important than ever that Red Parka stands for something bigger than ourselves.Our mission has two primary goals – to make people happy and to make the world a better place!

Because we care

Red Parka donates 50% of its profits to causes supporting conservation and humanitarian efforts. Why? Because change is needed now, more than ever.

Learn More