"The Leaving". Original Oil Paint and Pencil on Gallery-Style Wood Panel. 48" x 36".

The act of leaving one place implies entering another. The coyote-figure in this work pauses and looks back at the viewer one last time before entering the realm of the painting. Coyotes are spirit animals, revered by the Aztecs and by many other ancient cultures. Coyotes were a symbol of astuteness, worldly wisdom, pragmatism, male beauty, and youthfulness. This coyote, surrounded by a rabbit and numerous nighthawks, takes us on a journey. He tells the story of why he must leave and where he might be going.