There’s an animal rescue center in a town near where I live in Sedona, Arizona. Billy, the owner, takes in injured wildlife, and rehabilitates and releases the creatures. I asked Billy if I could release an owl someday. He said yes, and that he had a western screech owl that would be ready before long. I went to meet the little owl, who was a most adorable creature. Billy said I could name him. I called him “Moonlight.” Just before he was to be released, a vet looked him over and discovered he was blind in one eye and wouldn’t be able to hunt properly in the wild.

In the meantime, a group of us were organizing a fund-raiser for the rescue center. The artists in the gallery that represents me in Sedona were each asked to donate a piece of art. To contribute, I decided to sculpt Moonlight and give a percentage of the sales to the center. Moonlight visited my studio, where he served as a model. He was very sweet and sat calmly on his perch. This sculpture is the result of my love affair with Moonlight.

Moonlight the Owl is now rather famous in these parts and serves as an ambassador at various functions and educational programs.

I was able to realize my dream by releasing another owl I called Night Flyer from my studio deck. It was thrilling to watch him fly into the trees.

Dimensions: Height: 14.75"   Width: 9"   Depth 5"

Edition of 50