Author | Lightnews

Alison Hill Spencer @alisonhspencerart.bsky.social · Mar 8

I’m certain every piece of art has more than one story in it that only the artist really knows; I hope you enjoyed this story as much as I enjoyed painting it. Northern Saw-whet Owl, 24 x 24”, oil on canvas (Plus 1)

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Alison Hill Spencer @alisonhspencerart.bsky.social · Mar 8

he has marveled at birds ever since. I see in the fabric my dad’s dark years—the Vietnam draft, bootcamp, letters to my mom and their two little boys, nerve agents, and the premature birth of their third son, who remained isolated in the hospital for months, on the brink of death. (5/5)

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Alison Hill Spencer @alisonhspencerart.bsky.social · Mar 8

now, in the pattern I see the first time my dad saw thousands of white pelicans at the Great Salt Lake when he was ten. He rode his bike across town to the salty shore, and he surprised them as much as they surprised him. The rush of their wings as they took off sounded like a jet engine; (4/5)

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Alison Hill Spencer @alisonhspencerart.bsky.social · Mar 8

For hours on end he regales me with stories about his life; some stories I’ve never heard, some stories I grew up hearing, and some of the old ones he tells with details that are new to me. When I look at this painting, I hardly remember the soft call of the owl that made me want to paint it; (3/5)

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Alison Hill Spencer @alisonhspencerart.bsky.social · Mar 8

Or, “These owls only occasionally come down from high elevations to visit us in the valley.” Or, “I’ve painted this one larger than life to demand your attention—in reality, they’re the size of an American Robin.” But for the past few weeks, my dad has been sitting with me while I paint. (2/5)

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Alison Hill Spencer @alisonhspencerart.bsky.social · Mar 8

Normally, when I post a new bird, I say things like: “We’ve had a saw-whet owl visiting our neighborhood this winter. I’ve never seen one before, and I’d never heard their whistling-bark call until a couple months ago.” (1/5) #birds #birdart

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Alison Hill Spencer @alisonhspencerart.bsky.social · Feb 16

Join me for the Salt Lake Gallery Stroll this Friday, February 21 from 6-9 pm. I’ll be doing a live painting demo at the Tasting Room along with other artists. It will be a fun evening and I’d love to have your company! (The Salt Lake Gallery Stroll is for all ages, The Tasting Room is for 21+.)

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Alison Hill Spencer @alisonhspencerart.bsky.social · Feb 9

My dad, of course, couldn’t see any of this, but shared in my joy as I spent too long describing the scene to him. We have so little control of the big things in life, but these little interactions we have with people around us, small as they are, will eventually change the world for the better.

Alison Hill Spencer @alisonhspencerart.bsky.social · Feb 9

The babies ride on their parents’ backs when they aren’t busy experimenting with diving and fishing on their own. While one parent taxis the chicks around, the other catches fish and feeds the chicks, and then they switch responsibilities to spell each other off. 3/4

Alison Hill Spencer @alisonhspencerart.bsky.social · Feb 9

Late in the fall I took my dad to Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. Most of the migratory birds had fled the cold already, so the river was mostly still. Towards the end of the loop, we rounded a bend and came upon a huge flock of Western Grebe families. 2/4

Alison Hill Spencer @alisonhspencerart.bsky.social · Feb 9

When the world is heavy, we still have birds. (Western Grebe with Chick, 12 x 18”, oil on hardboard) 1/4 #birds #utahbirds #utahartist #birdart

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Alison Hill Spencer @alisonhspencerart.bsky.social · Feb 9

My dad, of course, couldn’t see any of this, but shared in my joy as I spent too long describing the scene to him. We have so little control of the big things in life, but these little interactions we have with people around us, small as they are, will eventually change the world for the better.

Alison Hill Spencer @alisonhspencerart.bsky.social · Feb 9

The babies ride on their parents’ backs when they aren’t busy experimenting with diving and fishing on their own. While one parent taxis the chicks around, the other catches fish and feeds the chicks, and then they switch responsibilities to spell each other off. 3/4

Alison Hill Spencer @alisonhspencerart.bsky.social · Feb 9

Late in the fall I took my dad to Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. Most of the migratory birds had fled the cold already, so the river was mostly still. Towards the end of the loop, we rounded a bend and came upon a huge flock of Western Grebe families. 2/4

Alison Hill Spencer @alisonhspencerart.bsky.social · Feb 2

On Instagram & Facebook I always include a description of the birds, but I’m still trying to figure out BlueSky. I just included my description in the comments if you’re interested. Thanks for engaging!

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Alison Hill Spencer @alisonhspencerart.bsky.social · Feb 2

(3) When threatened, they retreat to their burrows and make the rattling and hissing sounds of a rattlesnake to bewilder their predators. And they’re absolutely delightful to watch! They can be found throughout the western US, parts of the south, and down through Mexico.

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Alison Hill Spencer @alisonhspencerart.bsky.social · Feb 2

(2) These loooong-legged owls are largely diurnal making them fairly easy to see during the day. They generally nest in little colonies in burrows that other animals have abandoned (prairie dogs, rabbits, construction workers) in open fields, desert landscapes and golf courses.

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Alison Hill Spencer @alisonhspencerart.bsky.social · Feb 2

(1) If we wanted to see owls with my dad growing up, we’d get up with him at midnight, bundle up, and wander around in the frigid darkness making owl sounds and being very still until 4 a.m. Which may be why I love burrowing owls so much.

Alison Hill Spencer @alisonhspencerart.bsky.social · Feb 2

It is tragic, and so unnecessary. We can develop and expand in wise ways, but that takes more thought than we are willing to give it.

Alison Hill Spencer @alisonhspencerart.bsky.social · Feb 2

😂 And thank you. I started using the fabric to help my audience understand what happens to our bird populations when we over-develop our marshlands, but now I’m just addicted to it.

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Alison Hill Spencer @alisonhspencerart.bsky.social · Feb 2

Burrowing Owls, oil on hardboard, 24x48” #birdart #birds

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Alison Hill Spencer @alisonhspencerart.bsky.social · Jan 26

Tundra Swan, oil on hardboard, 24x32”. These beautiful creatures migrate across North America a total of 8,000 miles a year to nest in the Arctic and winter in the south and along the coasts. #birds #birdart #birdsofgreatsaltlake

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Alison Hill Spencer @alisonhspencerart.bsky.social · Jan 22

Thanks for convincing me to join Bluesky! I love seeing your work!

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Alison Hill Spencer @alisonhspencerart.bsky.social · Jan 20

That would be awesome! Thank you!

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Alison Hill Spencer @alisonhspencerart.bsky.social · Jan 19

Hello, everyone—here to experiment with yet another platform! Pied-billed Grebe, 12x18”, oil on hardboard. This short, stocky, water-loving, wispy-tailed grebe is more closely related to flamingos than to ducks.

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