Wolf Wildlife Acrylic Painting

Be sure to check out available artwork in my new Creative Spirit Gallery

Alpha

Wolf. The word evokes feelings of both terror and fascination. All sorts of human behavior has been attributed to this animal. We hear of the lone wolf, the wolf in sheep's clothing, the  infamous wolf whistle and the wolf at the door. Be careful of the wolf pack, and don't let anyone throw you to the wolves.  And of course the wolf is legendary not only for his spine tingling howl but for his relentless pursuit of the ladies.  Yet in spite of all his fame we really don't know much about him and it may be  that very lack of understanding which serves to perpetuate his myth. In truth, he isn't that much different from other animals. His focus is survival, which includes he search for food and protection from harm. Like many of us he is a carnivore, but  while humans will often purchase their meat from stores, he has to hunt his own.  Unfortunately the wolf can not recognize any difference between an elk and a domestic cow or sheep. Neither does he understand the concept of a loving pet yet he is believed to be the ancestor of our domesticated dogs. We have all seen similarities both in the appearance and behaviors of wolves and dogs. But in some ways they also resemble us. Wolves run in packs which might be said are similar to human families. They hunt, live and eat together just like a family, they work and even play together and they protect each other. Who is to say whether or not the bonds that hold them might be something akin to love?  I do not know and I don't believe anyone else really knows for sure, but I do know that he is a beautiful and breath taking animal, as are all of God's creatures, and he might have something to teach us if we would only listen.


This is an acrylic painting on stretched canvas 11 x 14.  It and other paintings are available through The Creative Spirit Gallery, my online gallery.  Click on the link to visit.

http://dellartistgallery.blogspot.com

Family Portrait Graphite Drawing Commission

"Family isn't the most important thing. Family is everything."  Michael J. Fox

This is one of my favorite family group commissions. The photos, taken during the 1940's, fascinated me not only because of the era they portrayed, but also because of the beauty and vibrancy of the four young sisters. There is one sister still living who commissioned the portraits.  She asked me to copy a special poem titled "Sisters" in the center of the drawing.  It always blesses me to be able to create something that touches the heart and brings comfort to someone.  The two framed drawings are the parents, and the drawing of the four sisters had not yet been framed when this photo was taken. This is an informal snapshot and you can probably make out some of our framing tools in the background.

Webster defines family as "a group of people related to one another by blood or marriage,"or "a group consisting of parents and children living together in the same household." Although those words may attempt to define it, they do not begin to describe the magnificent, astonishing, and oftentimes volatile experience of living in a family group.  It is God's gift to humankind, and, like many of God's gifts, "family" is a growing experience.  As families are imperfect and, as they are made up of imperfect people, they are the perfect training ground for living in an imperfect world. There are times when we are the best of friends, other times we wonder what God was thinking when He put us all together.  We eventually grow up and some of us marry and begin the process all over again with families of our own.  Family ties are not static; they shift around to make room for more bonds - spouses, children, grandchildren but, whether we like it or not, they never completely disappear.  And that is the just the way God planned it. Because, as everyone who watches retro television knows, Father Knows Best - Our Heavenly Father, that is.
And Michael J. Fox is probably right!