Winter Greys

This piece is a 24”x12” acrylic on board. I had the chance to observe this great grey owl sitting quietly on a branch. Everything seemed to be frozen in this timeless moment that looked like something out of a magical fairy tale. I finally snapped out of the spell and took a quick photo before leaving the bird alone. What interested me most to work on this atmospheric piece back at the studio was at first the muted tones and soft blue and greys of the background. Then I turned my attention to the trees by slowly knitting the delicate laces of frost clinging to the branches. All the while rendering the light that sometimes suffuses gently through the thinner areas and sometimes bounces hard and glitters all over the place. I got to play with the cold blues of the shadows and the warm greys of the sun-kissed patches. And finally switching to abstract with the work of the patterned feathers.