Otter – all in a twist

Otters fascinate me and during the autumn of 2024 I was lucky enough to go to the UK Wild Otter Trust rehabilitation centre in Devon. I kept far away from the otters which will eventually be released but played with one who is a permanent resident. He loved a good hose pipe and water!

Did you know that each otter has a distinct mustache which is how they can be distinguished from one another?

Please consider supporting the work of the UK Wild Otter Trust. I have donated a piece of artwork for their Christmas auction for the past couple of year. https://ukwildottertrust.org

This otter is painted in watercolour on a mixed media background. I started with a wooden birch panel and added a layer of collage, including maps of the river and other ephemera. Working in layers and pattern, I built the piece up before painting the twisting otter with watercolour. The finishing touches were added with collage, stamping and a little acrylic, before it was protected with UV spray and waxed. It is 50cm square and framed in a simple black tray frame. Just ask me for details