Etched Feathers exhibition is a celebration of Florida’s magnificent birds

Etched Feathers is a wonderful exhibition for Florida fowl fanatics, and the unusual collection is now on look at at The Tampa Bay Background Middle.

Birds have mesmerized and inspired artists for centuries. Etched Feathers examines the operates and artistic procedures of John Costin and other bird artists and devotees, whose creations capture the essence of winged beauty. See this amazing show from March 4-Oct 15 in the Wayne Thomas Gallery at the Tampa Bay Record Centre.

The point out of Florida is a birders paradise. Pelicans, spoonbills, herons, hawks, screech owls, parrots, and other gorgeous avian species make the Sunshine State an even far more lush and wonderful put to connect with house. Artist John Costin, and other infatuated creatives have employed dynamic procedures to seize the majesty of these creatures. Both equally their is effective, and their processes will quickly be on total screen at the Tampa Bay Background Centre, just a brief walk from the Tampa Riverwalk.

Etching of a spoonbill in flight over water. An island is in the background of the etching. — *ROSEATE SPOONBILL IN FLIGHT* | John Costin

John Costin has used the transfixing artwork of etching for far more than 40 several years. All of his etchings are of magnificent Florida birds. The rigorous element of each piece is remarkable. Costin’s etchings commence with shades of white, gray and black. He then retains introducing shade until the birds he’s symbolizing feel to animate and soar off the paper.

Etching is a rare art variety right now, but back again in the 1800s the Audubon Society manufactured hundreds of them. Costin, an ardent birder, has collected dozens of these previous etchings. He utilizes these antiques as inspiration for his work.

“The system is demanding and I like that,” writes Costin in his artist statement. “1-5 copper plates are independently hand wiped with a variety of shades of ink to create an image on paper then each individual piece is meticulously hand colored.”

A large crane painted in front of tall grass — *Brief SPECTACLE* | John Costin

The plates get months to create and lots of weeks of proofing are accomplished before an satisfactory piece is made. The etching procedure is a blend of drawing, sculpture and portray, and it is the oldest printing approach in the planet.

“One issue we want to specific to our viewers is that these had been attractive birds, but they also served an academic goal,” stated Brad Massey, a curator at Tampa Bay Background Centre, in an job interview with Fox 13.

Etched Feathers: A Heritage of the Printed Chicken comes at the Tampa Bay Background Centre on March 4. For more information and facts on the exhibition, or to see approaching gatherings at the museum, visit TBHC’s web-site. Observe the Tampa Bay Background Center on Fb and Instagram for more cultural teasers. Take a look at John Costin’s web-site to see a lot more of the artist’s do the job.

Tampa Bay Heritage Middle, 801 Drinking water Road