Art hits new heights as Qantas unveils aircraft painted in indigenous livery Qantas' new Mendoowoorrji flying art Boeing 737-800 aircraft, launched in the presence of Kathy Watson (daughter of the late artist Paddy Bedford). LATE, great indigenous artist Paddy Bedford used to tell his daughter he wanted a plane. She knew what he meant. Not a private jet to make his travel easier, not even a lightweight to espy his beloved red-earthed country from above. That wasn't Paddy's style. He wanted to paint one. While the artist was not there in the flesh on Boeing Field in Seattle yesterday to see his wish come true - as Qantas unveiled its latest aircraft to roll off the production line painted in indigenous livery - daughter Kathy Watson knew what he would be doing. "He would be looking down proudly, sipping his lemonade and having a cigarette with some of the old guys," she said. The aircraft, a welcome return to Qantas's feted Indigenous Flying Art program, is the ultimate canvas - gigantic, able to withstand severe weather conditions, and attention-grabbing. This time the carrier has been sparse with the paint, focusing on innovation and a design that will give travellers and plane-spotters pause to ponder. The Boeing 737-800 aircraft is dubbed Mendoowoorrji, adapted from Bedford's 2005 painting Medicine Pocket, which depicts an important pre-colonial camping ground and waterhole for the Gija people of WA's Kimberley region and the home of the artist's mother. The airline's famous red tail has been incorporated into the design of this special livery, altered to match the earthy tones of the original artwork, Qantas's Laura Berry said. The aircraft will arrive in Sydney at noon tomorrow.