Alpha Male of the Three Amigos Pack

Mexican Wolf #2, 16" x 16", Oil on canvas board

Mexican Grey Wolves, also known as Lobos, are among the most endangered of all the wolves in the world. They were  completely wiped out of their natural environment by the US Government and ranchers by the 1970's.  They are small wolves, around 65-90 pounds, about the size of a German Shepherd Dog.  Smaller, rounder ears, shorter nose than their northern cousins, and very striking and beautiful markings. 

The re-introduction program in New Mexico and Arizona had hoped to have well over 100 wolves  in numerous packs established by now.  But, sadly, because of continued illegal killings and removal of wolves that have killed livestock in their limited allowed range, that number is around 50 wolves. That is all that exist in the wilderness right now. They have to co-exist in this limited  wilderness area with free-ranging cattle, angry ranchers, an adversarial USDA, and state governments that are anything but supportive of the re-introduction program. 

These two paintings were done from photos we took of captive wolves who were born and raised on the Armendaris Ranch ( one of Ted Turner's holdings) in S. New Mexico.  There are three brothers, known fondly as The Three Amigos, who are residing at Wild Life West Naure Park in Edgewood, NM,  near my home.  They have been recently joined by their two sisters.  Wild Life West will probably be their home for life.  They will never be released, mainly because their genes are too common among the "wild" wolves and they cannot offer genetic diversity to the wild gene pool.  And, now, they have become too habituated to humans.

It has been a great privilege to observe and photograph these wolves from within their enclosure.

I have mixed feelings about it.  I'm happy for them, as individuals, that their lives will be safe from bullets and leg-hold traps.  But at the same time, they are captive.  They are fed by humans. They are not living out their "natural" lives.  Since they were born in captivity, perhaps they don't understand what they are missing. But something tells me, as I watch them in their enclosure, that, indeed, they do know full well.  I wonder what they would choose if they could:  a life lived free with all the inherent dangers, or the one they now have, one of safety, but limited to the relatively small enclosure they have access to?  We need wolves in the wild. They are a vital part of a healthy eco system.  The re-inroduction of wolves to Yellowstone has been the key to its salvation. So much threatens the success of their survival here in NM and Arizona.  I pray they make it, and prove their worth to generations to come.

Mexican Gray Wolf #1

I've been wanting to paint wolves for a while now, at least a year or two. I've been waiting for the time, and some good reference photos. And opportunities to actually see wolves, up close and in person. Wild Life West, a rescue park for native animals that can no longer be released, had several Gray Wolves for a while, but not Mexican Gray Wolves, until a pack of three brothers came to live out their lives there. They were born on the Armendaris Ranch in SW New Mexico. One of Ted Turner's vast holdings in New Mexico. They were to be released in the Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Program, but one of the wolves, in spite of best attempts by the keepers, just became too friendly with humans. In fact, I'm sure it was the same wolf who gave me several magnificent "play bows" (or perhaps they were challenges!)  on the day we went to photograph them. We were allowed to go inside their enclosure, and once settled in, the three brothers ventured closer and closer, circling us back and forth. My husband got some great photos and I just absorbed their beauty and wildness, still very much apparent, even though they are captive born and will be captive all their lives. There are only 50 Mexican Gray Wolves, also known as Lobos, left in the wild. They are on the very edge of extinction. I am hoping that the paintings I plan to do in the coming year(s) will assist with fund raising to help insure their recovery. I'll have prints and greeting cards available soon, if you're interested. This painting is 9" x 12", oil on board, and will be available for sale soon for $365.00 If you're interested, please contact me.

You're Invited!

September 11, 2001

September 11, 2001

These images began to take form in my heart the week after September 11, 2001…..they are my prayers for peace. They are also the last art I ever created using my hand dyed fabric in the medium of the Art Quilt. From that point on, I chose to express myself with oil on canvas. I exhibit them here, now, in honor of the

Tenth Anniversary of 9/11.

The Columbine is symbolic of the Dove, and both represent the Holy Spirit, the Giver of the Peace of God, that mysterious Peace Which Passes All Understanding. I called these four fiber pieces,

“Espiritu de la Paloma”, The Spirit of the Dove.

The Hebrew word for “Shalom” appears on each piece. Like so many artists, I was expressing in the only way I knew how, my own personal grief, sorrow and disbelief in the unfolding tragedy.

These pieces have been exhibited in numerous venues throughout New Mexico and the United States, including an invitational venue that began at the University of Pennsylvania and traveled throughout Europe, ending in a castle in Germany.

"Voladores": flying; to fly

Irish essayist Rober Lynd wrote, “In order to see birds it is necessary to become part of the silence.”

I remember vividly the first time I saw a Mountain Bluebird, flashing his cerulean feathers as he swooped down over the rooftop on our new home in Edgewood. Barren, brown dirt and not a tree one, I wondered if our new home site held any appeal at all to him. We landscaped, fenced and planted trees and bushes, including golden currents and other fruiting bushes that might provide nourishment to birds. A bluebird house went up, made just so, with the right sized hole to attract mountain bluebirds. A birdbath, to provide water, and open space surrounding the box, in the form of a small lawn, and the setting was complete. All we needed was a pair of nesting bluebirds!

They did not disappoint. In no time at all, a beautiful male bluebird had selected our box, offered it to his mate, who graciously accepted it, and they began the task of raising their family.

Throughout the years we have had the pleasure and privilege of housing many bluebird families, both Westerns and Mountain Bluebirds, whose ranges overlap in this area. As we have watched and learned, our amazement grew at their incredible aerial abilities, dedication to raising their families, acceptance of humans in their territory, and not least of all, their stunning beauty.

To hear and thrill to their pleasant warble of “Chee-do” as they fly overhead, keeping their family together, is to know that the spring time of your life has not yet passed.

Gracee

Gail said she saw a picture of Gracee on the web at the Oakland SPCA site, and just knew she couldn't be sitting there for a month--she just had to get her out! Gail is one of those VSP's (Very Special People) who fosters and adopts unwanted dogs. Especially older dogs, even geriatric dogs, like Gracee. She was 17 when Gail took her home. She suffered from dry eye and systemic yeast. Gail nurtured and loved this little shih tzu for her two remaining years on this earth, and by the time she passed over that Rainbow Bridge earlier this summer at age 19, her skin was great and her eyes were, too. She had lost muscle mass and was very thin, so when Gail asked me to paint her, I plumped her up a bit and gave her eyes back that shine of youth.

When I asked Gail to describe Gracee to me so that I could get to know her a little bit, Gail told me that Gracee was just the sweetest of shih tzus, her little Angel. Feisty, determined. Loved to eat. Never got into a conflict with another dog in the household. Slept peacefully in her bed at bedtime. Gail said it took her awhile to get used to being held. Makes you wonder what her life had been like before. Was she owned her entire life before she came to be with Gail, all seventeen years, by someone who loved and cherished her, and then passed on? I hope so. That Gail was chosen to see her home is no surprise. Like I said, Gail is one of those VSP's who adopts old dogs....remember her, and Gracee, next time you make a donati0n to your local humane association.

Apso Repose

Here's the final painting, finished, signed and photographed.
Just waiting for it to dry so I can spray it with some varnish and have it framed, in time for my upcoming show at Watermelon Gallery in Cedar Crest, NM on Saturday, September 3 from 4-8PM.

Photo Credit: Southwest by Miqui
This painting is available as a giclee print, size 8 x 10 or 16 x 20
or a 5 x 7 greeting card. See them at www.katywidger.com