Name/Title
Barn Owl (Tyto alba)Entry/Object ID
2017.05.01Description
Painting
This image is a study of a Barn Owl (Tyto alba) perched on a stump. It is the most widely distributed species of Owl in the world and one of the most widespread of all species of birds, being found almost everywhere in the world. Ghostly pale and usually strictly nocturnal, Barn Owls are silent and efficient night predators.Artwork Details
Medium
Watercolour and crayon on paperMade/Created
Artist Information
Artist
William Glen Smith (1923-1993)Role
ArtistDate made
1972Time Period
20th CenturyNotes
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Born in Baldur, Manitoba, William Glenn Smith was a Canadian wildlife biologist and accomplished bird artist. He played an important role in shaping the early foundation on which wildlife and non-game management and protection developed in B.C. He served in the Canadian Army in World War II. After his BA degree, he completed two years work on a Master’s degree before accepting a job with the B.C. Game Commission as a regional game biologist for the Kootenay-Boundary District of southeastern B.C. He later took a promotion first as Assistant Chief of Wildlife Management with the provincial Fish and Wildlife Branch in Victoria and later as Chief.
Smith started painting at an early age, probably influenced by his father and later his brother who both painted. Smith painted in watercolour and acrylic as well as hard pencil pastel. He had great photographic recall, and having seen a bird in the field he could later paint it in detail, although he did at times use museum specimens and published illustrations. He retired from government to go into wildlife consulting and to devote more time to his painting.Inscription/Signature/Marks
Type
Signature, DateLocation
Signed and dated lower right: Glen Smith 72Dimensions
Dimension Description
Visible imageHeight
40 cmWidth
29.5 cmAcquisition
Acquisition Method
PurchaseDate
Nov 23, 2017Notes
Kilshaws Lot #155Relationships
Related Entries
Notes
By William Glen Smith:
2017.05.01 Barn Owl (Tyto Alba)
2017.05.12 Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)
2018.09.02a Hawk I
2018.09.02b Hawk II
