SHORT EARED PARLIAMENT Antlers

This massive sculpture was commissioned by an owl aficionado, with a preference for realism. The Short Eared Owl (Asio flammeus) was chosen as subject because it is interesting sculpturally. Unlike most owls, and like us, it is diurnal, so relies on visual cues as part of its communication strategy. In other words, it exhibits a variety of expressions! Two of the owl’s prey animals will also be represented: the Wandering Garter snake (Thamnophis elegans vagrans) and the Townsend’s vole (Microtus townsendii). Background elements of oak, wetland, bush and grass are taken from their overwintering habitat on the Nanaimo River Estuary, Vancouver Island.

This is also a duality themed sculpture, though most traces of explicit, abstracted angles and curves have been eliminated from the final design as distracting. Note the nest (angles) and the grasses (curves) as the most obvious remaining elements.

Publications:  Arabella; Hi Fructose; Outdoor Lifestyle; Arizona Gourds