LUNA - Large portrait of a Barn Owl
My painting Luna - Large Portrait of a Barn Owl has been selected by a panel of jurors for the ‘Artists for Conservation’ annual festival and traveling exhibition this year.
The Artists for Conservation Festival is a multi-day art and environmental event, featuring the premiere of AFC’s world-class annual art exhibit and is positioned as the world’s premiere visual arts event reconnecting society with nature. The event brings out leading nature and wildlife artists from around the world, immersing visitors in art and nature through workshops, film, and a world’s top conservation-themed art exhibit of original paintings and sculptures. All artwork sales benefit conservation. It’s a unique opportunity for the public to engage with AFC artists, learn about conservation issues and support conservation.
The exhibition will launch at the Van Deusen Botanical Gardens in August 2024 and will continue at various venues including the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum, through to the end of 2025. My painting was inspired by a visit to Maplewood Flats Conservation area - home to the Wild Bird Conservation of BC. A number of representatives from OWL - Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society were in attendance with their rescued owls.
LUNA - Large Portrait of a Barn Owl
42”x42” Fluid acrylic on canvas and pattern tissue
This pretty creature accompanied one of the OWL experts. We know she’s female because she has a spotted pattern on her chest. One of her wings was permanently damaged at a young age, so she lives in captivity and is somewhat tame. It was a wonderful experience seeing a Barn owl so close and to examine her feather patterns and facial ruff. Barn owls are much loved and a common sight in the UK where they fly at dusk and dawn, up and down the hedgerows separating rural fields. Sadly, it’s not the case in North America. Here on Canada’s West coast, Barn Owls are scarce and endangered due to habitat loss. I was surprised to notice two Barn Owl nesting boxes while walking the Chelem Trail in Squamish recently. I‘m told there was a rare sighting of a single Barn Owl at the Squamish Estuary two years ago, so the Squamish Streamkeepers installed boxes for its protection. Unfortunately no-one has seen the owl since - rumour has it that a Great Horned Owl took it.
Captive survivor - seen close up 2. Work in progress with resident critic