Wolves
During some time spent in Canada and the USA, I was fortunate enough to photograph some of the most beautiful animals on the planet, though I actually believe that all wildlife is incredibly beautiful. The diversity of nature shows us that we are only a small part of it, and we should take our place honourably amongst our brothers and sister animals. Nature itself is more complex than we could ever design, and in that divine design, we should see beauty.
In the company of Wolves
My painting of the arctic wolf evolved partly because I was interested in the wolf as a totem animal, and also simply because of its incredible beauty. I never dreamed that I would spend time in the company of wolves, but I was fortunate enough to visit with a pack of wolves that lived in the Rocky Mountains.
The grey wolf was extirpated from the western United States during the 1900s, primarily due to loss of habitat and conflicts with people. In 1884, the first statewide bounty law was passed in Montana. That first year, 5,450 wolf hides were presented for payment. All but three Montana counties reported a bounty payment for wolves form 1900 – 1931 (Riley 1998). Bounty payments were highest in eastern Montana counties, mirroring early explorers’ observations of a close association between wolves and bison. Wolves as a self-sustaining, breeding population were probably extinct in Montana by the 1930's.
In the lower 48 states of America, wolves are still hunted and killed. They are either trapped and left to starve to death, or they are shot. People lure them with the smell of wolf urine so that they can be shot. I spent some time with a guy called Carl Bock, who devoted his life to the study of the wolf. He sold his business and bought a mountain, where he now studies the wolf, and uses his time to educate people about the wolf, its behaviour and its habitat.
I wish that other people could see the balance in nature, but some seem to be ignorant of the natural way of things. Maybe it is up to the rest of us to help to educate our two legged brothers and sisters.
 "Midnight" Acrylic on canvas 25cm x 30cm SOLD | 
"The Watcher" Pastel on Card 27cm x 30cm 30cm x 40cm matted and framed Price - £180 | 
"Hunter" Pastel on card 30cm x 40cm mounted SOLD |
"Old lady grey" Pastel on card 30cm x 40cm mounted SOLD |  "Dog Soldier" Pastel on card 30cm x 40cm mounted Price - £150 | |
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