This great gray owl is looking for dinner. Painted in acrylic with many layers of glazes on 22” x 28” on deep edge canvas painted black. Great Grey Owl (Strix nebulosa) is based on a photograph by Larry Lafleur, this stunning owl was flying with a rather gray background. I decided to change it up and add a recent sunset. One of our largest and most impressive owls, they perch quietly before hunting early or late in the day. I find owls incredibly fascinating. I go through phases- I’ll do a whole bunch of owl inspired artworks and then I’ll just stop, but I always come back to them.

Owl symbolism and meanings include wisdom, intuition, supernatural power, independent thinking, and observant listening. Owls became symbolic of intelligence because it was thought that they presaged events. Owls are great thinkers, planning the hunt with care. They are considered guardians of sacred knowledge such as weather patterns. They are important in Native Canadian lore.