Written by As I’ve mentioned a couple of times before, I live in the middle of the city on the edge of a historic cemetery with large mature trees. The view is really beautiful and all the windows of our row home overlook it. Recently, a large owl has taken up residence there and I often see him when glancing out the window in the early morning and evenings. At night, you can hear his signature “hoo… hoo…” just outside the bedroom window. Thankfully, it’s just a few times and not something incessant and creepy that’s happening all night long, but it’s a notable change. The previous “neighbors” were far quieter since all of them have been deceased for quite some years. Ancient cultures saw the owl as a wise ruler of the night who could see souls, often helping spirits move on to the next place. This has also given the owl some ominous associations with death, but it’s mostly just a symbol of transition. Some say, it’s a signal that change is near.
Though Philippe and I find the presence of the owl rather fascinating, our little dog Phineas is not amused. While heading back to the house after a walk, he’ll hear the hoots from the owl and then perk up his basenji ears for a moment before making a mad dash for the front door to get inside. This might seem a bit spooky since dogs are said to sense things we can’t, but he’s generally always suspicious and easily spooked by anything that changes his routine. To be honest, we’re not entirely sure if he’s scared or just pissed off, but we find ourselves reasurring him that he has nothing at all to fear from the dreaded “hoo hoo monster.” He doesn’t seem entirely convinced, but has grown more used to the idea of the new inhabitant outside the window. Though it makes me think, since nearly all myths and legends associated with owls say they’re a source of wisdom, one does has to wonder what sort of secrets he might be keeping.
Like most things, I simply find the stories that cultures have created for owls fascinating. It’s intriguing to think the owl showed up as a wise harbinger to signal that change is on the horizon. At the very least, there’s just one more day of this month of natural beauty to go before beginning a brand new adventure! It’s always exciting to start a new month and I hope you’ll be joining me for whatever comes next. Change is what keeps life interesting and I love how it helps keep my mind busy with the fun of learning something new. I don’t yet have a clue what I’ll be painting and writing about in March as it’s theme-free at the moment, but I’m excited to find out what happens next. I’m still learning a lot in this art journey and have so much more to discover. But with practice and dedication, I’ll continue to learn and, who knows, maybe one day I’ll actually feel as confident and wise as the owl in the cemetery.
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About the DoodlewashSennelier L’Aquarelle: Red Orange, Indian Yellow, Olive Green, Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Deep, and Payne’s Grey. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon with black ink in a little red cloth hardbound l’aquarelle journal I found in a Paris shop. |
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Lovely owl Charlie, he looks so wise.
Thanks so much, Chris! Glad you liked it! 😃💕
Fabulous!
Thanks, Judy! 😃💕
Fantastic painting, Charlie. That eye in particular is glorious. As a cemetery enthusiast, I’m rather envious of you living on the edge of a cemetery.
Thanks so much, Laura! 😃💕 Awww cool! So many people seem to think it’s a bit creepy. Lol But it’s really beautiful.
Holy Schmoly! This is an awesome one! That eye! The feathers! The gorgeous background! How do you get the background so close to the owl so smoothly?
Awww thanks so much, Jodi! 😃💕 I actually painted the background first and to form the final shape of the owl, like the ear and to the left of the face. Background got kind of muddier than I wanted as I tried to blend it and darken it so it didn’t have a halo effect.
Great job!
Gorgeous Owl Charlie! Especially those eyes! Yes, how did you get that background so close to the owl?
Thanks so much, Margaret! 😃💕 I did the background color first to make the contours of the owl. I think wanted to darken it and when back in… got a bit muddy and realized the paper couldn’t handle another layer… 😊 hehe… but hadn’t tried a dark background with a light subject before so it was a big experiment!
Well, it worked out!
Uncanny timing! I was just reminding my sibling of the owl in Sword In the Stone!
Nice job on the eye Charlie. And the pooch may have gotten wind of the northwest myth of the owl which flew off with the family dog!
Thanks so much, Bill! 😃💕 Yay… love Sword In The Stone! Lol… yeah, I’m sure Phineas got wind of that one. Though I’m sure a really small dog would be wise to worry still.
Beautiful eye – luminous and surely a window to this owl’s soul.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 What a lovely compliment!
Beautiful painting
Thanks so much! 😃💕
Awesome..
Thanks! Appreciate it! 😃💕
Wonderful painting! I love the way the background looks blurry. The feather details are gorgeous.
Thanks so much, Georgie! 😃💕 Glad you liked this one. Actually the background is an unintended side effect of my paper dying because it didn’t really want to take another wash of color and some desparate towel blotting! hehe But it made for a cool effect I can now never replicate. 😊
Great eye Charlie, maybe that’s why your phineas is scared…’he’s watching you, your every move’!….he looks too nice to be scary, majestic birds, so graceful 😀
Thanks so much, Rebecca! 😃💕 Owls always look a bit serious so tried to soften this one a bit.
Your owl is handsome and looks like he’s watching over you. Maybe Phineas is a bit jealous of another creature also standing guard over you and Phillipe. Owls are absolutely wonderful birds, and I love hearing them in our neighborhood. We’ve never been able to spot one but they do live nearby. I love that their eyes are centered on their faces unlike most other birds whose eyes are on the sides of their heads. Though they are carnivores, they clean the area of pests, always a good thing in my book. And though they don’t sing, they certainly have a distinctive call. I’m terrified of the dark (I’m terrified of just about everything) but the soft sound of owls hooting makes me feel safe.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 Glad you liked him. Yeah, Phineas is probably jealous… he really does need to be the center of attention. And I agree… owls have a calming quality to their hoots… it’s a pleasure to have them so close!
I wish you could hear my hollers at dusk, I have 5 barn owls that make awesome, yet startling songs. Not just a hoo, hoo, hooo, ho, but all kinds of crazy howah howah ha ha ha’s back and forth. Sometimes I forget how blessed I am to grow up in the country.
Oh wow!! Thanks got to be so cool to hear! hehe
It’s good to have birds keeping an eye out for you. And owls are magical, always a positive as well. This one is definitely looking ahead…I think he sees good things! (K)
Thanks so much, Kerfe! 😃💕 I think so too! Well… I tend to always be impossibly positive, so there’s that. But I do think good changes are coming!
Beautiful thoughts, and a lovely painting.
Thanks so much! So happy you liked this post! 😃💕
Oh, he looks so charming and thoughtful! Great job. You can certainly see why they were so commonly associated with wisdom and knowing. You’re lucky to have them so close by – I’ve heard a few out and about, but don’t think I’ve ever actually spotted one!
Thanks so much, Jacob! 😃💕 Glad you liked this! This one is not shy at all… hehe… so easy to spot like he’s putting on a show. So cool to have there. Also there’s a little deer… but sadly… no seal or zonkey.
Aww, a deer too! Unfair! Have you ever doodlewashed a stag? I’m thinking you might have.
A cemetery-dwelling seal would be quite something, wouldn’t it. I’ll remember that for when I write my will: a seal should guard my resting place at all times.
I did something like a stag… an elk maybe? There have been so many that even I can’t keep track anymore! lol There was that little dik-dik! But a seal would be a perfect. as a guard… I want that when I die!!
“There was that little dik-dik” Oh I don’t ever want to grow up.
Me either!! No fun at all!! Lol
beautiful markings on that owl , great painting Charlie, and i’m very envious of your owl in the neighbourhood, i’d love to hear that sound at night 🙂
Thanks so much, Phil! 😃💕 Glad you liked him! Yeah… it’s sooo cool to have him there!
As an apprentice falconer and raptor lover, as well as an avid dog lover, I can tell you for certain that Phineas is scared of becoming this owls next meal.
Great stories. Keep them coming! 🙂
Awww thanks so much! 😃💕 Yeah, I’m pretty sure he thinks he might be owl food! Lol
Doodlewash, have you ever considered selling a painting? Do you have website or facebook page with them? I’m looking for a Finnish Goshawk painting similar to your beautiful owl painting.
I sell some prints on Society6, but since I’m just practicing in a sketchbook, I don’t yet sell actual paintings except for the rare comission from friends. It’s something I’m considering for this year though! Hmmm… Finnish Goshawk… had to look it up… looks very cool!
Well I want to be one of your first customers! 🙂
Awww yay!! Thanks!! 😃💕
“Thankfully, it’s just a few times and not something incessant and creepy that’s happening all night long …” HA HA! Isn’t it funny how thin the line can be between “cool” and “kinda creepy”? At least we can say for certain that your beautiful painting falls squarely in the “cool” camp. Beautifully done. Charlie!
Thanks so much, H.! 😃💕 So glad you enjoyed this post! hehe Always a fine line! lol
Owls definitely add something to the neighborhood, spooky if nothing else. When I see one fly near, gives me the shivers. Wonderful painting Charlie.
Thanks, Teri! 😃💕 Yeah, they’re so cool… but I agree… in a spooky sort of way. (especially when you live next to a cemetery! hehe)
So I have a question so I was heading to work and I got off early like around 3am on my on way to putting some gas I saw an owl on the side of the road next to the cemetery as I was getting closer it looked over at me and I felt like he was starting deep into my eyes what does that mean?
I always like to see something like that as a sign that positive change is on the horizon! 😉