“I Am Coyote” Inspires Art
Flight
by Maine artist Evelyn Dunphy
When our Words inspire Art……
Renowned Maine artist, Evelyn Dunphy, after reading I Am Coyote was inspired to create this powerful watercolor. Her moving work depicts a dramatic event in this newly published book ~ the young dispersing female Coyote is fleeing across the mighty St. Lawrence River, via a bridge that she waited until dark to venture upon. She leaves the “city of man,” Montreal, behind her.
Note the intensity of her face in her will to survive. The artist has captured the author’s words describing this most challenging experience of her journey.
“She needed to make a decision, and quickly. She made her final approach, and all was silent in the night. Without any question in her mind, she darted full speed across the bridge, her legs almost taking her airborne with a swiftness fueled by fear.”
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Coyote Connections
photo by Jacques Tournel
How can you participate in creating the kind of world we want to hand down to our children?
In answer to that, I wish to share with you how community members in Maine together contributed their talents…. envisioning a different world than the one we live in.
Just below is a link to a short film created about our Coyote Connections art exhibition that took place from October, 2014 to January 2015 at the University of New England’s Gallery in Portland, Maine.
The exhibition happened because of the contributions of talented Maine artists, and this short film is the result of contributions from not only the Maine artists, but also a Maine composer, musicians, photographers who generously provided their photographs and asking no remuneration for their use, and from David who filmed it. Though it is not perfect, I think that what is beautiful about this short film is that the expressions within it are those of talented community members who wished to contribute. That is where the CHANGE begins to happen in our society!
So here it is ~
https://www.youtube.com/embed/BuEkHhDknEU?rel=o
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Coyote and the New Paradigm
Split Rock by Richard Letham
This poignant work of art by renowned Maine artist Richard Letham can be viewed along with 49 other extraordinary works of art at the University of New England’s Gallery in Portland, Maine. The exhibition titled “Coyote Connections” will be up for our communities to experience until January 15, 2015.
We asked each artist to write a reflection regarding their art piece, and the following is his:
“In pondering your challenge ((he speaks of “challenge” as our invitation to participate in this special exhibit), it was first necessary to read the book you recommended on Coyote behavior for background information(that book is The Voice of the Coyote by Frank Dobie). Then a thorough immersion into Coyote Reader by William Bright to absorb the legendary myths passed down mostly from the Native American point of view.
That provoked me to re-read “Black Elk Speaks” and “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee” which rekindled my outrage at our history of genocide and loss of the Indian environmental wisdom.
The resulting large painting called “Split Rock” refers to one of those Native American legends which predicts the emergence of a new world paradigm of peace and appreciation for life on earth when the rock splits.”
And so this artist set Coyote in the context of that “split rock” ……Coyote comes before us and speaks…..”How will you continue to treat me….for how you treat me predicts the measure of the emergence of the new world paradigm.”
Read MoreOpen Season
“Open Season” by Sandra Crowell
Artists from all over Maine are participating in the University of New England Gallery exhibition ~ “Coyote Connections” October 9, 2014 to January 15, 2015 in Portland, Maine.
This powerful piece, created by artist Sandra Crowell, depicts numerous Coyote pelts displayed after their slaughter. But in front of the pelts stands a beautiful Coyote staring out at you…..maybe she is asking “Why?”
Each artist was asked to write a short reflection on their art piece. And this is Sandra’s~
“Bait and shoot, leg or neck hold trap and shoot, chase them down with dogs and shoot, all year long, night or day, no bag limit! Come, quench your blood lust, and pose for photos that make you look like a real hunter.”
Here she reflects what many, many Maine people have shared with me ….that those who slaughter Coyotes relentlessly have nothing to do with real Maine hunting….they dishonor the tradition!
Read MoreMaine Artists’ Expressions of Coyote
“The Ghosts of Evergreen Cemetery by Mark McCullough
Coyote Comes to Portland, Maine!
In a wonderful collaborative effort, the University of New England Gallery in Portland, Maine, 31 artist from all over the state and myself offer to our communities……“Coyote Connections.” This very special exhibit will be up for our communities to experience from October 9, 2014 until January 15, 2015
This unique art exhibition is all about Coyote’s connections, or you could say, relationships here in Maine (and all over our American continent). Our very talented Maine artists express these relationships through their thoughtful, powerful, and beautiful works.
Here is just one example ~ a large oil painting by Mark McCullough. Each artist was asked to write a short reflection of their work. And here is his ~
“Resilient and clever, eastern coyotes thrive in downtown Portland and other eastern cities. Last winter I tracked a family group in the snow in Evergreen Cemetery adjacent to the University of New England campus. Like ghosts, their tracks weaved through the Victorian tombstones. Coyote will be here long after we are gone.”
Read MoreCoyote and the Boy, Ben
Coyote Mother by Melissa Glendinning
How can YOU participate in creating a healthy, vibrant planet Earth;
and how can YOU participate in handing down to our children a consciousness that all life on Earth is ONE?
and from that consciousness, flows RESPECT…..and a shift in our BEHAVIOR.
So above you see the exquisite work of artist, Melissa Glendinning in creating the “Mother Coyote” for our puppet show, “Coyote and the Boy, Ben” Through her efforts and the efforts of our talented musicians, this magical puppet show is connecting with our children all over Maine…and I would add…adults as well. So use your talents, and be a voice for the wild ones.
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