<i>spring, spirit dancer, nimble and thin, i will leap like coyote when i go

tireless entrancer, lend me your skin, i will run like the gray wolf when i go

i will climb the rise at daybreak, i will kiss the sky at noon

raise my yearning voice at midnight to my mother in the moon

i will make the lay of long defeat and draw the chorus slow

i'll send this message down the wire and hope that someone wise is listening when i go

and should you glimpse my wandering form out on the borderline

between death and resurrection and the council of the pines

do not worry for my comfort, do not sorrow for me so

all your diamond tears will rise up and adorn the sky beside me when i go</i>

~Dave Carter, When I Go

My Inspiration

My contribution to the 2013 Werewolf Calendar was inspired by the book The Lost Wolves of Japan. I was intrigued by the thought of some "sub-species" or culture of werewolf going extinct like so many other creatures in this world.

"Not all werewolves have managed to survive the ages. Many have died off and left behind only stories and occasional remains. The werewolves of Japan are one such group that disappeared around the turn of the 20th century. These werewolves were similar to their inland cousins, but are a little shorter in stature. They still stalk the folklore of many Japanese regions."

Here the possible last werewolf of Japan slinks into a drowned graveyard, entering death while looking back into life as the wind bells chime. This is the most complicated and difficult piece I've ever attempted! There are a lot of flaws but I hope you all can enjoy the piece anyway. I enjoyed the work despite numerous frustrations, and painting the tiny red fruiting bodies of the moss was the most fun.