Barn owls

These beautiful creatures have an air of mystery that's captured the human imagination for centuries. Their ethereal appearance, ghostly pale faces, and silent flight make them seem almost otherworldly.

Barn owls have specialized feathers that muffle sound, allowing them to fly almost silently. This makes them excellent nocturnal hunters and adds to their eerie, ghost-like presence as they glide through the night.

The heart-shaped faces, large dark eyes, and stark white feathers give them a distinctive and almost spectral look. In many cultures, this has associated them with the supernatural or the spirit world.

Throughout history, barn owls have been symbols of wisdom, omens, or even harbingers of death in various cultures. Their presence is often linked to the mysterious and the uncanny, appearing in folklore and stories as creatures of the night.

The scoring technique I used in this piece lends itself well to capturing the delicate and mysterious qualities of barn owls, especially with their soft feathers and intense gaze. The limited palette, with soft grays, whites, and hints of gold or brown, enhance the ethereal and almost photographic look I was keen on creating.

About the artist:

Wanda Fraser was raised on the prairies but currently lives on Vancouver Island.
"I find so much inspiration here. It’s people; wildlife and diversity of landscapes are like nowhere else in the world. As an artist I feel I’ve come home."