owl art

This petite watchful owl sculpture by Jon Stuart Anderson rests in a neutral posture, elaborated with entrancing designs, including feather motifs. The artist has worked for 25 years to perfect this millefiori-style technique, which has allowed him to create intricate and amazing designs on his sculptures.

Pensive, this owl of multicolored feathers highlights John Barrow's whimsical approach to his art. He uses natural dyes to color the pieces of seasoned ishpingo, cedar and mahogany woods, creating a statuette of admirable beauty.

"Why, hello!" says this adorable owl after he emerges from his package in your home. He is an alebrije, part of a folk art tradition that carves animals from copal wood, then paints them in fantastic colors and designs. This wise little bird is created and signed by artists Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda of Oaxaca, Mexico.

"Whoooo am I?" says this little owl. He needs a name, and you can give it to him. He is an alebrije, part of a folk art tradition that carves animals from copal wood, then paints them in fantastic colors and designs. This wise little bird is created and signed by artists Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda of Oaxaca, Mexico.

Looking every bit the product of a fever dream that alebrijes are, this outlandishly-decorated owl sculpture is crafted by hand from copal wood by Mexican artisans Jesus and Roxana Hernandez. "Mastering the art of alebrijes requires practice, discipline and much love," says Jesus. "Roxana is expert at decorating the sculptures and her delicate hands convey beauty, from fine geometric patterns to flowers. Her designs are unique and elegantly detailed."

The alebrije tradition started with Mexico City papier mache artisan Pedro Linares (1906-1992). When he was 30, he fell into a coma due to serious illness. While he was unconscious, he dreamed he was caught between the land of the living and the dead; the place looked like a forest and was populated with creatures with body parts belonging to different animals. The beings repeatedly uttered the word alebrije. Upon recovering, Linares recreated these figures in bright colors using papier mache techniques and called them alebrijes. His work became famous and was one of the main influences of artisans in the state of Oaxaca who began crafting alebrijes of their own using traditional wood carving methods.

Cute and mystic, this adorable owl is the main inspiration for Mexican artist Sergio Ponce, who uses traditional techniques to create this tender ceramic sculpture. Painted by hand in blue and red hues, this floral artwork has a classic Hacienda style that enriches its sweet aura while paying honor to the region's arts.

Following traditional Jali techniques, Indian artisan Ashish Mehta creates a gorgeous sculpture in honor of one of the wisest creatures in the world: the owl. After finishing the woodworking process, Ashish paints the artwork with a palette of golden and vibrant hues, which allows the design to dazzle with elegance.

Endowed with the power to observe what others cannot, the Mexica or Aztec shaman served as a sort bridge between both worlds — the physical world and the world of the spirit. Thus he developed the ability to cure illness of mind, heart and body. Working in ceramic, artisans from the Angel Ceron Artisan Association create an imaginary shaman in the ancient Mexica style. He wears a headdress and holds a skull, as he can envision the afterlife. On his shoulder, a large owl perches. Mictlantecuhtli, the Aztec god of death was often depicted with an owl.