Etched
Feathers
A History of the Printed Bird
Featuring John Costin - Master Printmaker and other masters of avian etchings.
Etched Feathers - An Avian Art Journey
Birds are contemporary dinosaurs, surviving several major debilitating events on the planet that wiped out more than half the existing species. These historical survivors of the animal kingdom have added a rich diversity to our lives from ancient Egypt to contemporary day-to-day existence. Through the ages naturalists and artists have documented, explored and transfigured these avian wonders with detailed art and descriptions. The invention of printmaking in the 1400’s gave naturalists a vehicle to share these species with a larger audience. This exhibit explores the historical metamorphosis of birds in printed form starting with Conrad Gessner in the 1500’s to the contemporary artist John Costin of the 21st century. Each of Costin’s etchings are hand-drawn on copper plates with attention to scale and anatomy to replicate the birds at a life size scale. They come to life with rich color, tone and value using multiple plates. To physically experience them in person gives one a sense of wonderment; the viewer discovers the extraordinary detail, scale, subtle nuances, and enticing composition that Costin thoughtfully establishes with each finished etching.
Introductory Video
John Costin
Tampa Florida’s John Costin is a professional artist and ornithological aficionado whose meticulously drawn and painted etchings capture the grandeur, beauty, and biological details of birds. “Through my art I strive to capture and personify birds, enriching the viewer’s perception of this particular form of wildlife which they may rarely have an opportunity to intimately experience,”
Costin has been a professional artist since 1979, and his current studio is in Ybor City. While a student at the University of South Florida, Costin first studied the intaglio process, which involves carving metal plates to produce detailed prints. Inspired by the striking detail the painstaking intaglio style produces, Costin developed his own etching process and style. John’s hand-painted large etchings take months to complete and result in intricately detailed prints.
In addition to winning numerous awards for his etchings he has exhibited solo exhibitions at Gulf Coast Museum of Art (Largo, FL), Museum La Soffitta (Florence, Italy), Florida Museum of Art and Culture (Sebring, FL), Kalamazoo Institute of Art (Kalamazoo, MI.), Albin Polasek Museum (Winter Park, FL), The Von Liebig Art Center (Naples, FL), Tampa Bay History Center (Tampa, FL), Harding University (Searcy, AK) to name a few. He was nationally selected to be the artist in residence at the Everglades National Park and his work can be found in the collections of Bank of America, Eckerd College, General Motors Corp., I.B.M., Mayo Clinic, Miami-Dade county library, University of Miami, James Museum of Wildlife Art, Tampa Museum, State Library of Florida, University of Central Florida to name a few. He currently lives with his wife and 5 cats in Ybor City, Florida.
Along with being a renowned artist, Costin is also a serious collector of bird prints. He has collected hundreds of works, including some that are several centuries old. All the prints in this exhibit not created by Costin are part of his personal collection.
Exhibit Details
Contents: 63 framed pieces of art using non-glare, archival methods. A small etching press, a copper plate, and various etching tools. All of these are available for a possible demonstration during the exhibit. A copper plate and a large portfolio book. CD with text panels and labels.
* List of art & images *
Space requirements: 250-350 running feet
Dates Available: January 2025-December 2027
Loan Fee: Upon Request
Catalogue Available: 90 page catalogue describing each piece and insights into the process.
Insurance: Exhibitor responsible
Shipping: Exhibitor responsible
Space conditions: Appropriate security, environmental stability
Lecturer: John Costin is available for a power point presentation, walk through of the exhibition, and a demonstration of the printing process using the press that is part of the exhibition.