A vibrant collection of etched and painted bird prints is currently on display at the Tampa Bay History Center. The show, “Etched Feathers: A History of the Printed Bird,” features over 40 colorful, intricate prints. Most works are by local artist John Costin. The others, some of which are several centuries old, are from his personal collection. Art lovers, artists, birders, and everyone in between can find something to enjoy in this exhibit.

Prints for Every Bird
“Etched Feathers” isn’t just an assortment of gorgeous birds in the serene wilds of Florida, intricately illustrated with fine lines. It’s a brief history of printmaking and an overview of local ornithology.

In a recent interview at the Tampa Bay History Museum, Saunders Foundation Curator of Public History Dr. Brad Massey described how the exhibit goes beyond images. “We tell the story about early wood cut prints, engravings, etchings, and lithographs,” he said. “And so, our goal is to not just feature John’s art, but also to teach our guests about how these printing methods have changed over time.”

Several objects are on display to help visitors understand the process used to create prints. These include an actual press, scribes, etching ink, and lithograph stones. There is also a video demonstrating one of many methods of printing. Seeing the tools and process used to produce prints helps viewers comprehend the labor and time each piece requires. As Costin remarked, “You have to be an engineer as much as an artist to make these pieces. It’s a pretty technical process.”

The exhibit also includes helpful signage that explains the behavior and characteristics of the rendered birds. Learning more about the animals while seeing them artfully portrayed in their natural environments inspires a fonder appreciation for the birds and their lush, subtropical habitats.

John Costin: Birder, Printer, Painter
Costin spent roughly six to eight weeks creating each painted print on display. When seen in person, one understands why so much time was needed to complete the work. Not only are the pieces large, but they depict minute anatomical features, such as individual feathers and the scaley texture of bird legs.

Costin, an avid birder, begins each piece by locally observing birds in the wild. For over 40 years he has produced work in his Ybor City studio. The location allows him to take advantage of Hillsborough County’s vast and diverse population of native and migratory birds.

Most of his pieces feature a single bird. It’s his intention to focus a viewer’s attention on one animal to create an appreciation for that bird, as well as the fine details captured in the image.

“I think that when there’s just one bird, it creates a closer dialogue between the viewer and the subject matter, as opposed to having two or three birds in the image area. …The bird might have a certain implied character, and I like that. That’s intentional. And by doing that, there’s sort of an empathy that takes place,” Costin explained.

“Etched Feathers: A History of the Printed Bird”
“Etched Feathers” opened in March and runs through Oct. 15, 2023, at the Tampa Bay History Museum. The Tampa Bay History Center was founded in 1989 by the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners and continues to receive funding from the County. More information can be found on the Tampa Bay History Center website.

Photo Information: The exhibit “Etched Feathers: A History of the Printed Bird,” features over 40 colorful, intricate prints.