Barn Owl
Floyd Scholz (b. 1958)
Hancock, VT, 1986
33 in. tall

“Scholz is a five-time U.S. National Champion and the 2005 World Master’s Best in Show Champion. Scholz’s work has been included in the prestigious Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum Birds in Art exhibition and has been featured in many publications including Smithsonian Studies in American Art and People Magazine, where he was heralded as ‘one of the world’s true Renaissance men.’ One of his dear friends and collectors Elizabeth Taylor once summed it up perfectly when she said, ‘Floyd, you really soar with your eagles!’” — The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art

Recognized as one of the world’s preeminent contemporary wood carvers and painters, Floyd Scholz’s works feature hawks, eagles, owls and other large birds of prey. In addition to being a professional carver, Floyd Scholz runs the Vermont Raptor Academy in Bennington, Vermont, where he provides instruction in decorative carving. The maker explains, “As a professional artist and instructor, I'm constantly striving to keep my work fresh and exciting by developing new and more efficient ways to carve and paint. Change is essential if you want to grow as an artist.” Scholz is also the author of four books and he has been featured on many television shows. Indeed this very owl was featured with Scholz in "People" magazine.

Michael Kane is widely known as one of Nantucket’s greatest lightship basketmakers. He and his wife Marcia have also been leading patrons of contemporary decorative bird carvings for decades. The couple was instrumental in the expansion of the decorative carving field in the late-20th century. The “Michael Kane Carvers Guild” opened in downtown Nantucket, where they showcased and sold premier works by some of the nation’s top decorative carvers, including Floyd Scholz. We are honored to offer two signature works from the Kane’s private collection, lots 265 and 266.

An animated turned-head barn owl with spread wings perched on a branch mounted on a turned circular wooden base. The maker's signature and markings are found on the top and underside of the base. The complexity of this blue-ribbon work displays the maker's mastery of craftsmanship, carving, and paint detail. This avian sculpture demonstrates Scholz thorough knowledge of the owl's anatomy and behavior.

This carving won Best in Show at the U.S. National Championships in Babylon, New York. It went on to place third at the World Championship for a decorative life-size carving.
This fragile carving appears to be in good condition with little wear and is sold as found.

Provenance: Michael and Marcia Kane Collection, acquired from the artist

Literature: "People," June 2, 1986, exact carving illustrated."Floyd Scholz," Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art website, Salisbury, MD.