Moccasin’s Wisdom

An owl is the wisest of all birds because the more it sees the less it talks.

Moccasin was kept as an illegal pet from the time she was young.  She is considered non-releasable because she is too comfortable with humans and does not know how to hunt for herself or avoid predators. 

My first encounter with Moccasin the great horned owl was after my morning hike at Pinnacle Peak. Little did I know this wise old owl would join me on my adventures with the JoyEful Party Animals.
I snapped a few photos and quickly chatted with Moccasins handler. I quickly forgot all names and the organization home of Moccasin. When I got to my studio and looked at my photos I knew I had to paint this beautiful great horned owl.

The past decade, I became acquainted with the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center. I knew I had to do an exhibit featuring the animals and the incredible work of this organization. It took a long time, but I finally got approval to work with SWCC to shoot reference photos and talk with the staff. The volunteer that took us around was so knowledgeable and helpful. I couldn’t shake the feeling I had met her before. When we circled around to the owl habitat, it hit me. I had met Kim and Moccasin many years ago at Pinnacle Peak in my early years of creating the JoyEful Party Animals! Fast forward to today. One of my paintings of Moccasin, titled “Come Fly with Me” along with 3 other paintings are in the US Embassy in Montenegro as part of the US Department of State’s Arts in the Embassies Program. Moccasin is living up to its role of an Arizona Animal Ambassador! I feel like Forest Gump; Life is like a box of chocolates.