Ybor City chickens immortalized by Bay Area artist

TAMPA (FOX 13) - A Bay Area artist uses Ybor City’s famous chickens as inspiration for her art.

"They have grabbed my heart and I feel like they're a piece of our city," said artist Lynn Rattray. "For me, it’s all in the eyes and the body posture.”

Rattray has immortalized more than 100 Ybor chickens and roosters in her artwork. She told FOX 13 News about her personal favorites.

“I’m in love with the Colonel, a big white fluffy awesome chicken,” she said. “They all have their friends. They hang out with their momma. They all have a job to do. That's what I’m trying to capture,” she described.

STORY: Ybor Chicken Society president upholds 130-year tradition

Ybor's most colorful characters can be traced back more than 100 years to the cigar factory workers. 

Each dip and stroke of Rattray's paintbrush is a nod to their continuing tale.

"They're like the local treasure to me, they really are,” Rattray said. “I feel like I’m preserving a piece of history.”

Her work is on display inside The Bunker in Ybor through March 4. For more information on Lynn Rattray’s work visit www.lynnrattray.com.