Description
This piece was inspired by a drawing created by my great-nephew, Parker Schulerman. When I first saw the design he made, I immediately loved the colors and the shape of it. Some people look at the piece and think they are seeing a man’s figure, but it is actually an owl. If you look closely, you can see the small legs at the bottom, the beak in the center, and the two feather shapes that form the owl’s head.
I asked Parker if I could use his design as the inspiration for an artwork, and he agreed. I also spent time showing my two great-nephews how I make my art pieces, sharing with them the process of building images using small objects, color, and texture.
The piece incorporates glitter, beads, and small found objects and toy trinkets. Blue beads and small stars create a playful, almost night-sky feeling, while the layered materials give the owl a textured, sculptural presence.
There is also a small horse—or possibly a jackass—sitting near the bottom of the piece. I added that element with a little humor, because Parker, like many young boys, can sometimes be a bit of a jackass. It’s a loving nod to his personality and to the playful relationship between us.
This artwork is both a collaboration and a tribute. It celebrates Parker’s imagination and creativity while blending it with my own style of mixed-media assemblage using beads, glitter, polymer elements, and small found objects.
