Airs Above the Ground Coyote

Margaret Littlejohn Wakefield is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. She signs her work as TsaniUsdi, which is Cherokee for Little John. Wakefield’s naturalistic art centers around animals, with titles crafted to tell a story. One unique aspect of her work is that each subject is outlined with a “spirit color”.

Airs Above the Ground Coyote is a mesmerizing watercolor piece that captures the essence of one of nature’s most enigmatic creatures, the coyote. This intricate illustration showcases the coyote in a running position, exuding a sense of grace and alertness. Margaret Wakefield masterfully uses a rich palette of earthy tones to portray the coyote’s fur, skillfully blending browns, blacks, and golds to create depth and texture. The coyote’s precise anatomical rendering brings its slender body, pointed ears, and bushy tail vividly to life, allowing viewers to appreciate the natural beauty and elegance of this wild animal. The background of the piece is intentionally kept minimal, with subtle watercolor washes that suggest a natural setting while keeping the focus on the coyote itself. Airs Above the Ground Coyote is a testament to the artist’s ability to blend meticulous detail with artistic expression, resulting in an artwork that captures both the physical traits and the spirited nature of the coyote. It’s an invitation to pause and marvel at the clever resilience embodied by this animal, echoing the inspiration behind the piece.