Only Owls is a current exhibit at the Arboretum featuring a variety of artistic representations of owls. All of the paintings are from the collection of the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Museum of Art in Wausau, Wisconsin. The museum is best known for its annual exhibit, Birds in Art, which features contemporary artistic representations of birds. The annual exhibit has been held the week after Labor Day since the museum was founded in 1976.
Owls - "The bird of Athena, the Greek goddess of practical reason, is the little owl (Athene noctua). Owls became a symbol of intelligence because they were believed to foretell events. On the other hand, because of their nocturnal lifestyle and ominous hooting, owls were also symbols associated with the occult and the supernatural. Their secretive habits, silent flight, and haunting calls made them the subject of superstition and even fear in many parts of the world. In the Middle Ages, the little owl was used as a symbol of the "darkness" before the coming of Christ; it continued to be used as a symbol of the unbeliever who dwells in that darkness. Similarly, the barn owl (Tyto alba) was seen as a bird of ominous omen and later became a symbol of shame. Scientific study of owls is difficult because of their quiet nocturnal activity..." from Britannica
✯ Air Currents, 2018
Edward Aldrich b. 1965 American
Barred owls are amazing raptors. The shape of the wings, the intensity of the expression, and the many textures of the feathers are intriguing.
However, most interesting is the array of bar patterns on the owl's body and wings.
✯ Blue Jays Harassing a Tawny Owl, 1967
Owen J. Gromme 1896-1991 American
The blue jay is a conspicuous, noisy, and colorful bird that loves to harass owls, hawks, and other larger birds. The trio shown here cornered a tawny owl as it guarded its nest in a rotten oak tree.
✯ Asleep in the Saddle, 2016
Suzie Seerey-Lester b. 1955 American
A few years ago, I watched birds of prey on display at the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition.
This little barn owl was asleep on a handler's hand, oblivious to the noise and surrounding commotion. I knew I would paint this owl, but I needed something exciting ... dramatic light. I pulled out an old saddle and used a flashlight to figure out how best to cast the light on the saddle. The title, of course, was the easy part.
My husband, John, and I put our initials in every artwork we make; try to find the J+S hidden in this painting.
✯ White on White, 2014
Terrill A. Knaack b. 1950 American
This past winter brought an unprecedented migration of snowy owls to Wisconsin. I've had many encounters with these striking raptors over the years; the memories are vivid. Often these owls appear out of nowhere, well-obscured in a snow-covered world of open fields, prairies, and lake shores. My goal with White on White was to reveal the magic this bird lends to the countryside. Flying low to the earth, this snowy was buffeted by February winds, yet maneuvered gracefully and stayed on course. The evening light cast a warm glow onto the prairie and red dogwood.
✯ Winter Watch, 2019
Barry Van Dusen b. 1954 American
During the winter of 2018-19, southern New England experienced an irruption of barred owls from the north. One of the owls frequented our property and sat atop the bird houses, bird feeders, and trees around the house. Using a telescope, I enjoyed many opportunities to watch and sketch this bird from the windows of my studio. As the owl took to hunting from our aging birch tree, I was intrigued when a huge limb concealed most of its form.
✯ Scops Owl, 2017
Eric van der Aa b. 1963 Dutch
This little scops owl is rather common and can be heard almost anywhere in the Mediterranean region, including city parks. Getting a clear view of this cryptic-plumaged bird is a different story. I was very happy to discover it in a lichen-covered Spanish oak on a bright October morning. Even in broad daylight, the camouflage is stunning.
✯ Waiting for Dusk, 1987
Allen Blagden b. 1938 American
In Waiting for Dusk, Blagden captured the owl's exceptionally soft feathers which seemingly shimmer in the light. The bird is cryptically placed on a branch shrouded by needle-shaped leaves, perfectly hidden for resting and hunting.
✯ Barn Owl, 2000
Joseph M. Longo 20th c. American
✯ Snowy Owl Portrait, 1991
Leigh Voigt b. 1943 South African
Seeing a snowy owl up close would be a rare experience, yet in Snowy Owl Portrait Voigt has provided the viewer with just that opportunity.
Unlike other species of the owl family, the snowy owl pursues prey both night and day. Voigt has chosen to emphasize one of this owl's greatest assets for the hunt - its piercing yellow eyes. Ever alert, this cold surveying feature draws you in and at the same time forces you back. Even the soft, white feathery face does not suggest that it would be possible to cuddle up to this formidable hunter.
✯ Snowy Owl, 2000
Haruki Koizumi b. 1951 Japanese
Pyrography on basswood
The snowy owl is a strikingly beautiful bird.
The absence of color here lends a feeling of innocence as well as a docility that is deceptive.
Snowy owls are able hunters with keen senses of hearing and sight, both used to distinguish prey at great distances even under the snow.
✯ Smoky Owl, 2019
Steven Spazuk b. 1960 Canadian
Fumage on wood panel
Since 2001, I have explored and pushed the boundaries of a technique
called fumage. My paintbrush is an open candle flame that leaves a fine
deposit of carbon black on paper, hence creating images with trails of
smoke. Using feathers and brushes, I intuitively sculpt the plumes of
soot to render shapes and light. I used a paper stencil to guide the
flame and create this owl's black spots. The transparency, fluidity,
unpredictability, and plasticity of the soot all affect each image. In
the lower right, the stencil caught fire, leaving a brownish burnt mark.
✯ Rustic Residence, 2017
Diana Höhlig b. 1985 Swiss b. Germany
In the mountain villages of southern Switzerland offer insight into how people lived long ago.
While living in Valais, one old barn decorated with hundreds of small wooden shingles caught my attention. The small tiles had seen many years, the wood faded from the sun. Here and there, a piece was missing. The overall composition was beautiful. A group of missing tiles resulted in a square hole, a perfect entrance for birds and bats.
In my imagination, a barn owl appeared, peeking out from its residence to watch the playful shadows of martins dancing on the barn wall in the late afternoon sun.
✯ Silent Wings, 1986
M.A. (Al) Glassford 1931-2002 Canadian
Cast paper
✯ Winter Afternoon, 1993
Kenneth A. Ferris b. 1955 Canadian
✯ Unexpected Landing, 2022
Claire Duncan b. 1949 American
I used the information presented at the exhibition
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This owl was featured in an earlier exhibition held a few years ago also at the Arboretum. That exhibition featured the work of artist Leo Monahan, who creates beautiful paper works of art.
On one of my hikes we managed to spot an owl sitting in a tree.
