Artemis and the Wren Painting

Acrylic painting of Artemis the Greek goddess who is associated with several wild birds. She is also known as the moon goddess, an important archetypal figure for young independent woman. I have painted her as a forest creature in winter moonlight with a Wren, one of Ireland's most widespread garden birds, its small rounded body and tiny cocked tail are distinctive, however, it can be a surprisingly difficult bird to see - more often heard than seen. Artemis also has a Barn Owl, one of Ireland's most iconic bird species on her shoulder. Barn Owls are in dramatic decline, now deemed to face an extinction threat. They are active late at night, if you are fortunate you might to see one flying across roads in car head-lights. When seen they appear a ghostly white.