The NH Audubon’s McLane Center is home to a new temporary art exhibit: “Enchanted Owls” by Sandra Grant. From Dec. 17 through the start of February, Grant’s work will be on display to the public.
Grant shared more about the exhibit below:
As I walk through my woodland’s path, [I] listen for the sounds of the Great Horned Owl’s melody as they communicate back and forth to their mates. It’s like an enchanted forest at different times of the year when all varieties of birds are singing.
On a recent walk, I looked in front of me and saw a fledgling owl perched on a dead log on the ground. It was a barred owl, very young, who may have had its first flight out of the nest and was checking out the ground around him. The next day, I found on the path his sibling. low in a tree, learning how to hunt for food. The mother was seen with big full wings saying, “Stay back from my nest.” It had to be close by, but not to be seen.
My home studio is called the “Hooking Nest,” where I watch the red-tailed hawks circling my bird feeders. We watch many owls around our pond hunting for small prey from the treetops. The blue herons and mallards sometimes stop by for a swim.
Please enjoy my owl & raptor fiber art hooked irbds.
Note: Art exhibit viewing access may be restricted during private event rentals. Calling ahead to confirm is recommended
About Sandra Grant: I have been a fiber artist for most of my life. My educational background includes a BFA and MFA in fine arts and teaching. I have worked in many different mediums over the years, starting with drawing and painting. I continued with weaving and had a business selling my work for many years. My love of color, yarns, textures and fabrics continued when I stopped weaving and found “rug hooking.” I’ve studied with many well-known rug hooking teachers around the country, learning various different techniques from each unique artist. All of which has contributed to my fiber birds over the past years.
I came to realize that rug hooking was a more versatile medium, allowing me to create my own colors of dyed wool and yarns. I could add other materials, like velvets, metallics, beads, novelty fur yarns, feathers, etc. I could draw my own subjects, and I could make them 3D if I chose that look. I can work on small or very large pieces. The options are open to create whatever the artist chooses. Also, the ease of going back and taking out something you don’t like or [adding] more embellishments when finished is so helpful when you’re creating.
Most of my recent work is of birds of all kinds. Raptors and all water birds are high on my list to create. I live by the water and see so many water birds. I also spent time at Vermont Institute of Natural Science, watching and photographing owls.
I was chosen as the featured artist in 2022 at the Green Mountains Rug Hooking Guild exhibit. I am the Education Chair for Green Mountains Rug Hooking Guild and teach beginner rug hooking in Vermont libraries and other craft centers. My work can be seen on the Green Mountains Rug Hooking Guild site virtual show.
I am a juried member of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen and show in their annual craft shows. In 2019. my piece, “Bucky the Blue Heron,” was chosen as the cover for the show and the featured piece of the show, along with being printed on their annual tee shirts to sell. I have won best in show awards at NH League exhibits and at the Deerfield, NH and Tunbridge, VT sheep and wool festivals. My profile and work can be seen on the NH League website.
I have been in Celebrations magazine three times and had a write-up in Rug Hooking Magazine in 2020, with my pelican featured on the cover. I currently sell my work through the NH League Craft shops and at Village Art Gallery in Warren, VT.