Paper Collage Owl

My maiden name is Wise. I grew up just down the road from my Grandma Wise and, needless to say, was at her house a lot. Grandma had LOTS of owls in her house. 

Not REAL owls but a lot of little collectible owls or pictures of owls or owl calendars and the like. Because of her last name, WISE, people just gave Grandma a lot of WISE OLD OWLS. Personally I've never liked owls...probably because of all the ugly ones Grandma had growing up. 

So, imagine my surprise when I was inspired to paint an owl. 

Actually I didn't paint the owl, I painted several large sheets of papers a variety of colors and textures. Then I cut out each shape of the owl and glued it down to a black matte board. 

Then I cam back through with a black Sharpie marker and colored pencils and enhanced and added some details. 

I like the way the feathers aren't laying down. 

So now I'm done with this owl and while I like the technique and effect, I can't possibly hang it in my house. I just down like owls...though I am attracted to the circles of his eyes and repetition of feathers. Maybe I just need to do another bird....one less owlish!