"Harmless Unless Hungry" Original Owl Painting

Size: 8 x 5 inches

Medium: Watercolor & Acrylic on Watercolor Paper (unframed)

Artist Signature: Right bottom corner

Artist: Hand painted by San Francisco Bay Area artist John Osgood

Year: 2024 as part of the Birduary Series

John's Inspiration:

I started this painting at a Sketch Tuesday event at 111Minna Gallery in San Francisco a little while back. I didn’t finish it that night, so I brought it home and added some finer details.

Since starting my annual Birduary series, I’ve found myself drawn to birds I hadn’t explored much in my art before—like the Barn Owl. This nocturnal beauty is a silent hunter of small mammals and reptiles, combining grace, power, and mystery.

Encountering a Barn Owl feels almost magical, a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there’s always enough light to guide us forward to reach our goal. I hope this piece captures some of that awe and inspiration!