This is a handmade linoleum cut print of a pack of wolf spirits flying over a full moon celebrating the ancient and intimate kinship between humans and wolves. It is created for all the wolf lovers out there who love living untamed wild lives. . .honoring their authentic inner wild howl.

CREATION PROCESS: A block of artist's linoleum is hand carved into a design which takes between 20-30 hours. It is then covered with a layer of ink. Paper is then pressed on top to create an imprint. This printing process takes about 10-15 minutes for each print. The prints take 3 days to dry.

PRINT SIZE: 8.5" x 14.5"

PAPER SIZE: 11" x 16.5"

MATERIALS: It is hand printed with Caligo Safewash (non-toxic) relief Ink on either Awagami Select Hosho Paper or Strathmore Paper. Hosho paper is a handmade paper from Japan, a cultural treasure and time-honored heritage that has been handcrafted from natural materials for over a thousand years. It has a rustic natural handmade feel with deckled edge and is archival quality. Strathmore Paper is 100% cotton smooth bright white archival quality paper. Strathmore Paper Mills are locally located in Massachusetts where my studio is. Please indicate in the message to seller if the type of paper matters to you.

FOLKLORE INSPIRATION:

This piece of art was originally inspired by nomadic sheep herder mythology and folklore about wolves from the Inner Mongolian grasslands documented by Jiang Rong in his semi-autobiographical novel Wolf Totem where he shares his personal experience living for eleven years with these nomadic herders. Although for generations these nomadic sheep herders regarded wolves as their “enemy”, they also revered the Wolf as a divine teacher who modeled strategies of survival and adaptability, qualities that enabled the grassland sheep herders to live for thousands of years in the harsh unforgiving landscape. In their mythic imagination wolves are the ancestors of the people and protective spirits of the grasslands, and they believe after death it is wolves who take their souls up to heaven. . .a profound way folklore and mythology weaves together wolves and humans in this world and the next. Though this artwork was inspired by this wolf totem folklore from Mongolia, it more generally celebrates human-wolf kinship that existed in many ancient and indigenous cultures around the world where people lived in harmony with wolves.

GIFT SUGGESTIONS:

This would make a wonderful gift for someone who is a wolf lover, wildlife lover, folktale lover as well as those who appreciate handmade gifts.

PACKAGING: This print will be carefully rolled in Kraft paper, packed in a recycled clear bag and shipped in a recycled cylindrical tube. FeathersandFolktales uses eco-friendly packaging supplies. A one-page insert including a description of the folktale is included with the print.

SHIPPING: This item will be shipped within 1-3 business days.

Please note that the copyright of this work is retained by the artist.