Golden otter
I dream of spotting an otter during my river walks, but so far my dream has not come true. I live near the rivers Loddon and Thames, and I’m told they are there. They see us, but so far, I have not seen them. Otters are fascinating creatures, often described as cute and cuddly, but they are masters of the river and woe betide a salmon that comes their way. They are playful and energetic, taking a joy in their freedom and prowess., indeed they are well known for sense of curiosity. Playing together helps keep family bonds strong and teaches the pups important skills such as how to find food. Yet their caution means they are rarely spotted
This small painting of a river otter celebrates a moment of stillness. It is 25x25cm and painted with ink and watercolour on a specially prepared and collaged canvas, before being finished with metal leaf. It is a small golden reminder of a moment of peace in a life full of action.
Sadly, 12 out of 13 of the otter species worldwide are under threat. Their numbers are declining due to reasons including hunting, habitat destruction and reduction in available prey. For this reason I have donated a similar piece of art to the UK Wild Otter Trust to be auctioned for their work. You can find out more about them here: https://ukwildottertrust.org/
Did you know?
- River otters can hold their breath for up to 8 minutes while under water
- River otters spend two-thirds of the time on land
- Otters always wash themselves after every meal
- The otter is the largest member of the weasel family
- River otters can dive to a depth of 60 feet
- Baby otters are called pups
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