A visual journal essential to build images, sketches for future use. All the while learning more about these threatened species.
This led to creating the miniatures - with Marta coming to my studio and learning drypoint and then printing them on the press.
The next phase was sketching and producing images of the owls .
Material was supplied to Marta who created the sewn lengths - they were then dyed and stained and when dry ready for the laborious task of handprinting and drawing and painting.
The research of owl habitats very important in this phase as wanted to create a new environmental background for each owl.
Days turned to weeks and months and finally it was time to add the owls to each panel. When the panels were completed they were set and ironed and the timber purchased had to be cut, hand sanded and inserted into each panel before professional addition of the D.Rings for hanging.
The A3s were a combination of painting, mixed media, and print making. The A4s were printed, mixed media, drawing and digital composition experimentation a one off. - Marta used her calligraphy skills and created a series of owls that sat in calligraphic information in the A3s and with the A4s images of each owl in coloured sketching.
Drawings, prints, painting and combination of series of prints created the varied sized work enhancing the walls.
The resin masks were a whole sculptural effect with firstly clay - then moulds created, then resin and fiberglass added to create masks then sanding, painting with copper paint and acid to create effects.
After three and half years and a lot of really hard work the show became a reality on the 6th July 2017 at 6p.m. Guests were thrilled with the multisensory approach with the sounds of the owls reverberating throughout The Art House and the powerpoint which provided another dimension to this show.
Below are highlight photographs kindly taken by Cheryl McCoy or Steve McLaren.