The Owl King

I love his wise flower eyes!




Here he is with The Keeper of the Keys.

This is “The Owl King.” He came through immediately following the completion of “Keeper Of The Keys.” I seem to have numerous forms of owls presenting themselves to me both in my art dolls and my daily life. I was playing with a piece of batik fabric when I spotted a tree branch design that looked like a beak. My hands took over from there and before I knew it, I was stuffing this whimsically regal owl.

Like his predecessor, the “Keeper Of The Keys,” he has a large key attached to his chest. The beaded picot edging was inspired by Robin Atkins’ designs in her book Spirit Dolls. I used two multi-faceted beads with green flowers on them for the intensely playful eyes. The beak is constructed from multiple shapes and sizes of bronze-toned beads.

The frog is a Japanese design carved out of wood. I added an antique Chinese coin to the leaf that holds the frog. Many of my creations contain a frog element right now. The frogs are playful and they represent transformation. I used to collect pollywogs in the lagoon next to my beach house where I grew up. I loved watching them transform into frogs.

“The Owl King” also has a bronze-toned wreath of acorns combined with filigree gold trim for a crown. I used three golden metal leaves to embellish his right wing. He actually embodies qualities of both the owl and the frog. He represents a metamorphosis himself!

I am also experiencing a deep process of metamorphosis myself as I face the many details and emotions related to my hysterectomy in January. The winter solstice takes place this weekend. I am emerging from a dark time into the light. I am experiencing a sense of reconnection as I examine many parts of my life. The emotions that have been flooding through me over the past week are providing me with a deep sense of healing and cleansing of issues from the past. Not an easy process but filled with beauty and renewal...