Sculpture Statement:

“Howdy, Bird” gets its title from an old cowboy nickname for Burrowing Owls.  These ever-expressive creatures seemed to nod in greeting from the entrances to their burrows as the horsemen would ride by.  Unfortunately, due to habitat loss the Burrowing Owl was declared extinct in British Columbia in 1980.  Thanks in part to efforts by the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of BC, they are making a comeback. 

Learn how you can help at burrowingowlbc.org. 

Method:

"Howdy, Bird" was created using the lost wax method of bronze sculpture.  The artist originally modelled the piece in oil clay, created molds in silicone rubber and plaster, then cast him in wax.  These wax positives were delivered to Burton Bronze foundry on Salt Spring Island where fireproof molds were created and the bronze was poured.  The raw bronze casts were then returned to the artist where they were welded back together, cleaned (chased), and coloured using a hot patina process to embed the piece with the rich tones you see.