Snowy Owl Portrait
Details: Acrylic on canvas | 4 × 4 inches
Inspiration: My brother is not as avid a birder, but the Snowy Owl has been his favorite since we were kids. Now as I’m older, not necessarily wiser, I am able to better appreciate the plumage, stealth, and magnificence of this species.
Process: I tried painting its entire body in the snow but it got lost at such a diminutive size; painting only head and shoulders better embodied its poise and presence. It has now become one of my favorite avian pieces ever.
Note: I gave to my brother of course, so until I steal it back or try to do another, you can see the other species available at my shop.
Avian Aside: All that glorious fluff adds up: their incredibly thick plumage makes Snowy Owls North America’s heaviest owls—typically weighing about twice as much as the much taller Great Gray.