Free Vintage Owl Illustrations Printables for Junk Journals & Scrapbooks
Quick Takeaways – Free Audubon Owl Illustrations Printables
Features authentic owl illustrations by John James Audubon, taken from The Birds of America.
Perfect for junk journaling, scrapbooking, art journaling, and woodland-themed crafts.
High-resolution collage sheet available as a free download. No signup required.
Owls have always fascinated me with their mystery, wisdom, and striking features, and no one captured them quite like John James Audubon. This free printable collage sheet showcases his famous owl illustrations from his monumental 19th-century work, The Birds of America.
Audubon was known for his meticulous detail and dramatic compositions, and his depictions of owls are both scientifically accurate and artistically powerful. These images were originally created to document bird species for study, but today they also serve as timeless works of art. By turning them into printable sheets, you can now bring these historic illustrations into your own creative projects.
2.5” x 4.25” Journal Cards
Why Use Owl Art in Your Crafting?
There’s something special about working with John James Audubon's illustrations. Unlike generic clip art or modern graphics, his artwork carries historical weight and artistic beauty. Including his owl images in your journaling or collage adds both visual richness and a sense of heritage.
Wisdom & Knowledge – Owls are widely seen as symbols of insight and reflection, making them a natural fit for journaling spreads.
Woodland & Natural Themes – These owls often appear perched among branches or in natural settings, perfect for forest-inspired projects.
Historical Ephemera – Using images from The Birds of America connects your work to one of the most famous illustrated books of the 19th century.
Creative Ways to Use the Owl Illustrations
Here are just a few ways you might want to use these free printables in your projects:
Junk Journals – Add owls as statement pieces on woodland or autumn-themed pages.
Art Journals – Use the illustrations to inspire spreads about wisdom, stillness, or the beauty of nature.
Scrapbooking – Frame outdoor adventures, camping trips, or stargazing nights with owl accents.
Tags & Cards – Create rustic bookmarks, gift tags, or greeting cards with a natural history vibe.
Mixed Media – Pair the owls with textures like fabric, pressed leaves, or layered paints for a rich, tactile look.
Seasonal Décor – Print and cut for autumn displays or woodland wall collages.
1.5” x 2.5” Journal Tags
Preserving the Legacy of The Birds of America
The Birds of America (1827–1838) is considered one of the greatest natural history works ever produced. Each plate was hand-colored and printed at a monumental scale, bringing the vibrancy of North American birdlife to the public in a way that had never been seen before.
By transforming a selection of these public-domain owl illustrations into printable collage sheets, I hope to give crafters and artists a way to preserve and reuse these historic works in a new context. They move from museum collections and rare books into hands-on creative projects, keeping John James Audubon’s legacy alive through art and craft.
Related Printables You Might Like
If you enjoy these Audubon owl illustrations, you may also want to check out:
Free Vintage Owl Portrait Printables – Another set of striking owl images for woodland projects.
Feathers & Eggs Collage Sheet – Perfect for layering with Audubon’s detailed bird studies.
Acorn and Oak Leaf Images – A perfect complement for layering.
British Mammals Printables – Great companions for forest and animal-themed spreads
2” x 3” Journal Tags
Love These Printables? Support The Art Scavenger!
I love sharing free vintage printables, and if you enjoy them, there are easy ways to support my work so I can continue creating and offering more free designs:
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Terms of use:
Free to use for personal or commercial projects. You may print the collage sheets as many times as you wish for your personal crafts or in your projects to sell, including: art journals, scrapbooks, junk journals, collage art, etc. You may not redistribute or sell the collage sheets “as is" in either print or digital form.
If you wish to share the files on your own website, please do not make the files available for download directly from your site. Instead, include an image with a link back to this site.
To the best of my knowledge, these are all royalty free images that are in the Public Domain in the US. However, you should always do your own research if you plan to use them commercially.
