For a fantastic day out – the SF Etsy team leaders organised to meet up with some of the team at the San Francisco Zoo. We were invited back to the ARC (Animal Resource Centre) at the zoo to get close and personal with some of the animals I have some pictures here. For the trip we all had to do an art project on an animal that inspired us. I saw some wonderful animals at the zoo that day but the animal that I was truly fascinated by was the Great Horned Owl. I had only seen a Great Horned Owl as a puppet or in a diorama at State Parks and the Natural History Museum, so to see him in real life took my breath away.

So, I created my art piece inspired the Archimedes the Great Horned Owl. I wanted include fabric that was woven as a connection to the story in my art piece. I loved the owl’s feather pattern and with fabric patterns are woven or even designed. So I scanned a piece of woven silk and used that as a backdrop. I enjoy working with fabric therefore using this in my digital art was important – I wanted to make the owl look powerful against the background so I painted his feathers with colours that are in contrast. Usually owls have the perfect camouflage but as I wanted him to look strong I emphasised his coat of feathers with bright highlights. The idea of this piece is that nature and animals are woven within the threads of our being – so enjoy… Archimedes the Great Horned Owl.

And if you want your own copy go to this site here…

My submission art piece for the SF Etsy Zoo Field Trip