For art collectors and wildlife enthusiasts, the name Morten Solberg represents a masterful fusion of dynamic abstraction and breathtaking realism, a style perfectly encapsulated in his iconic owl paintings. As of late 2025, the market for Solberg’s original works, which often feature species like the majestic Snowy Owl and the elusive Barn Owl, remains robust, with recent auction results providing a clear picture of their enduring value and collectibility.

The late artist, who passed away in 2022, left behind a legacy that transcends traditional wildlife art, making his pieces—especially his deeply expressive depictions of owls—highly sought after. This article dives into the unique techniques, career highlights, and current market value that define a Morten Solberg original owl painting, offering essential insights for both seasoned collectors and new admirers of his work.

Morten Solberg: Biography, Career Highlights, and Artistic Entities

Morten E. Solberg (1935–2022) was an acknowledged Master Artist whose career spanned over five decades, establishing him as one of the most versatile and celebrated wildlife painters of his generation.

• Born: 1935, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
• Education: Cleveland Institute of Art.
• Death: 2022.
• Primary Mediums: Highly versatile, he worked in oil, acrylic, and watercolor, often combining them.
• Signature Style: Known for his unique blend of Photo-Realism and total Abstraction, a style he sometimes referred to as "Deceptive Calm."
• Key Memberships & Honors:
  • Master Artist of the Society of Animal Artists.
  • Member of the National Watercolor Society.
  • Member of the American Watercolor Society.
  • Named Artist of the Year for American Artist Magazine.
  • Featured on the covers of publications like Wildlife Art and Grey's Sporting Journal.
• Subject Matter: While famed for his wildlife and landscape paintings, his body of work is extensive, including flowers, fishermen, cowboys, and women with parasols.

The Distinctive Technique Behind Solberg's Owl Masterpieces

What sets a Morten Solberg owl painting apart is not just the subject matter, but the revolutionary technique he employed, particularly in his watercolor and mixed-media works. He was an "artist's artist" who challenged the conventional "rules" of transparent watercolor.

1. The Fusion of Realism and Abstraction

Solberg's process often began with a loose, abstract design, allowing the colors and textures to dictate the composition before the realistic subject matter—the owl—was introduced. This approach creates a sense of mystery and movement, making the viewer feel like they are catching a fleeting, intimate glimpse of the bird in its natural environment. The abstract background, rendered in bold, fluid strokes, contrasts sharply with the photorealistic detail of the owl’s eyes and feathers, giving the work its signature "Deceptive Calm."

2. The Multi-Media Approach: Watercolor, Gouache, and Acrylic

Unlike purists, Solberg embraced a combination of mediums to achieve his desired effect. Many of his original owl paintings utilize a powerful mix of:

• Watercolor: For the initial washes and atmospheric effects.
• Gouache: An opaque watercolor used to add highlights, rich texture, and intense color where traditional transparent watercolor would fall flat.
• Acrylic Gesso: Sometimes applied to create texture and luminosity, further blurring the lines between traditional watercolor and opaque painting.

This experimental technique, which he called a "happy way to paint," requires a keen sense of timing and patience, resulting in a depth and luminosity rarely seen in standard watercolor pieces.

Current Market Value and Collectibility of Original Owl Paintings

The market for Morten Solberg’s work is highly active, driven by his established status in the wildlife art community and his passing in 2022, which often increases the demand for an artist’s original work. Collectors specifically seek out his original owl paintings, which include popular titles like "New Species" Owl, "Snowy Owl On Branch," and "The Grand Duke - Great Horned Owl."

1. Auction Results and Price Range

Original Solberg paintings, depending on size, medium, and subject quality, have realized prices ranging up to $8,190 at auction. A concrete example of the value of his owl pieces is an oil on board painting, simply titled "Owl," measuring 12 x 16 inches, which recently sold at auction for $3,510.00 (including the buyer's premium). This figure serves as an excellent benchmark for collectors looking to acquire a smaller, original Solberg owl work. Larger, more complex original watercolors or oils featuring prominent species like the Snowy Owl ("Winter White" or "Sunlit Splendor") can command significantly higher prices, often requiring a direct "Price Request" from galleries.

2. The Difference Between Originals and Prints

It is crucial for collectors to distinguish between a one-of-a-kind original painting and a limited edition print (such as a lithograph or giclée). Solberg produced many popular prints, including "Edge of Night - Barn Owl" and "The Grand Duke - Great Horned Owl," which are pencil-signed and numbered. While these prints are valuable and highly collectible, their price point is significantly lower than a unique original work, which carries the full weight of the artist’s hand and emotional connection.

3. Key Collectible Owl Entities

When searching for an original Solberg owl, collectors should look for the following entities, which represent some of his most celebrated avian subjects:

• Snowy Owl: Often depicted in stark, beautiful white landscapes (e.g., "Winter White," "Sunlit Splendor – Snowy Owl").
• Great Horned Owl: Known for its powerful, imposing presence (e.g., "The Grand Duke").
• Barn Owl: Characterized by its haunting, ethereal quality (e.g., "Edge of Night").
• "New Species" Owl: A unique watercolor piece that was sold, reflecting his constant experimentation.

The timeless appeal of the owl, a symbol of wisdom, mystery, and intuition, combined with Morten Solberg’s technical genius and his ability to merge the emotional intensity of Abstraction with the precision of Photo-Realism, ensures that his original owl paintings will remain highly sought-after treasures in the world of wildlife art for generations to come.