‘Coyote’, 2015 black Biro drawing by Jane Lee McCracken
On 23rd May 2015 at Niagara on the Lake, Coyote Watch Canada will be holding ‘A Song Dog Celebration’, their first fundraising Gala event. Coyote’s are known as ‘Song Dogs’ for their haunting vocal artistry and are one of the most adaptable and charming animals on the planet.
“Coyote” which was made exclusively for CWC’s ‘A Song Dog Celebration’ reflects on the harmony that once existed between coyotes and man, the destruction of that relationship, and the hope for a return to understanding and co-existence.
At the left of the piece are three images of coyotes. Coyotes form tight family bonds, one of the traits they share with humans. Like coyotes, First Nations people and Native Americans have suffered at the hands of ignorance and greed. While celebrating the harmony between native peoples and coyotes, “Coyote” also memorializes the loss experienced by both.
Reigning over the drawing is an image of Mother Nature as a native princess. The background is derived from Edward S. Curtis’s beautiful portrait of Hattie Tom, Chiricahua Apache (1899). Overlaid is an image of Audrey Hepburn’s face. Hepburn played Rachel Zachery in John Huston’s The Unforgiven (1960). The film, while flawed, attempted to explore the issue of racism towards Native Americans.
At the heart of the drawing is a coyote’s face layered through an image of the Rocky Mountains, suggesting the majesty of nature. A fifth coyote flashes through the piece, running towards the future. In Native American mythology, the coyote was seen as the Creator and sometimes took the form of man. Thus, layered through the coyote’s body is a representation of a native man, symbolizing the morphing of man and coyote into one being, forever entwined through mythology and history.
Finally, migrating monarch butterflies are projected on the coyote’s fur, representing hope and joy. They symbolize celebration of the work of Coyote Watch Canada in its quest for compassionate co-existence with coyotes and other wildlife.
This piece is for North America’s Song Dogs.
‘Coyote’ original drawing will be auctioned at ‘A Song Dog Celebration’
A Limited edition run of 50 A3 signed and numbered prints of ‘Coyote’ are available now with all profits going directly to Coyote Watch Canada:
www.janeleemccracken.co.uk/shop/conservation art prints
A special thank you to wildlife advocate David Shellenberger for his kind introduction to CWC and for his help and advice towards ‘Coyote’.
Jane Lee McCracken, Artist 
Just did my usual detailed examination in enlargement. As always, I am amazed at the fine detail, which manages to illustrate the components so well. The ragged thick fur of the coyote is beautifully rendered, and the feathers on the headdress are so intricate, individual hairs can easily be seen.
Using the overlay of Hepburn was something that might sound strange in verbal description, but worked so well in the picture. It gave the face a timeless quality, and a combination of racial features that created something new in anthropological description.
Good luck with this worthwhile project, and thanks for reemerging with another flawless piece.
Best wishes to you from Norfolk. As ever, Pete. x
Many thanks Pete for your kind words, much appreciated. Delighted you like this new piece and will give the Song Dogs your best wishes. Thank you for your continued support, Jane x
Reblogged this on beetleypete and commented:
Once again, Jane has drawn a marvellous picture in aid of a good cause, and all done in simple ball-pens too. Please enlarge the picture to see the incredible detail, and visit the link, for more great images..
Wow……it’s beautiful! Hope it goes well. What a shame you don’t get to go! Do you remember Niagara on the Lake? It was lovely there. I remember seeing a Coyote driving out of Vancover heading towards the mountains just wondering along the roadside….it was a wonderful sight to see. X
Thank you Jill and glad you like it, it’s been lovely to do something for Canadian wildlife after that wonderful and memorable trip to Canada to see you. Remember Niagara on the Lake well and that lovely shop we went to! Plus our visit to Algonquin to see the wolves, just incredible! What a sight that must have been to see a coyote heading towards the mountains! Thanks again for that wonderful trip and your support! x
Very beautiful and a great cause.
Many thanks for your kind words Olga. Best wishes,
Jane