Great Horned Owl – ETCHING – 11/28

8-3/4″ x 7-3/4″

“The great horned owl is one of the most widespread owls in North America.
Each climatic region has a different race with different plumage ranging from
very pale to dark russets and blacks. The race I have shown here is typical
of the areas where I have lived. Since I have always liked the look of
fierce creatures, this fellow’s expression is one of my favorites. The great,
curving frown is emphasized by the upswept “horns”. He always looks this
way, no matter what his mood. But the expression does indeed fit with
a fierce and capable attacker of other creatures he preys upon.” 

I also enjoy the direct, hands-on involvement that the process of making an
original lithographic prints affords the artist. In a world steeped in technology,
I admire tradition and old methods. There is a great pleasure in making something
by hand and in using skills that are hundreds of years old.

With original prints such as this, the artist creates the different color plates used
in the printing (instead of having the camera create color separations as with
reproduction prints). In the case of this original lithograph, I tried to restrict
myself to two color plates. I often like to set artistic challenges such as the
white on white painting in White Encounter – Polar Bear or the black on black
in Midnight – Black Wolf. In this case, I did my drawing on the first Mylar plate,
for which I selected greenish-gray ink. Then I did another plate, for which I
selected a brownish-gray ink. I could have left it at that, but I decided for
the sake of realism to do some Prismacolor yellow hand coloring for beak
and eye and some warm, sooty color for shadows around the eye
and body feathers.”  

May Common