"Shine On Noble Chief Takaya" by Rachael Green
Artist Statement
“I have always had a passion for nature and particularly for wolves. As a follower initially of Pacific Wild on Instagram, I became aware of Takaya and Cheryl Alexander's unique relationship with this magnificent coastal sea wolf. When I learned of his unfortunate fate, I wept because his strong spirit had touched my soul and he lost to the actions of a human. I have always related to being a lone wolf trying to survive in a tough world while raising children that I have encouraged to respect every creature from insects to whales and in between. Takaya's beauty, strength and resilience gave me wondrous goosebumps whenever I would see his photos from Cheryl and Pacific Wild on social media. As a visual artist, the only way I felt I could honour him was to paint him glowing brightly in all his thriving glory and donate it to Cheryl, whom I had never met but felt a compassion for in her loss of beloved Takaya. I admired his freedom and his resiliency through his story told by Cheryl. Takaya continues to inspire me daily to be bold. I spend many hours in the outdoors of Ontario and while I do, I imagine how Takaya felt when he would look out over Discovery Island where he reigned in regal, stalwart, spiritual magnificence while on this Earth and beyond.”
Artist Bio
Rachael lives in the Niagara Region in the Golden Horseshoe Region of Southern Ontario, Canada. She studied at OCAD University in Toronto in her 20s; however she is mostly self taught. She is a dental hygienist by trade and enjoys camping and all things outdoors. In 2017 she had the pleasure of visiting Vancouver Island including Tofino and Victoria. She hopes to live on the island in retirement so that she can actively contribute to BC wolf conservation efforts and draw/paint the spectacular island wildlife from first-hand observation. Her favourite artistic subjects are animals which she has gravitated to drawing since drawing as a young child. Rather than realism, she strives to capture the personality of the subject animal in her mind’s eye. She has an Instagram page @art_green_nature where visitors can find some of her animal creations in a variety of mediums.
Artist Statement
“I have always had a passion for nature and particularly for wolves. As a follower initially of Pacific Wild on Instagram, I became aware of Takaya and Cheryl Alexander's unique relationship with this magnificent coastal sea wolf. When I learned of his unfortunate fate, I wept because his strong spirit had touched my soul and he lost to the actions of a human. I have always related to being a lone wolf trying to survive in a tough world while raising children that I have encouraged to respect every creature from insects to whales and in between. Takaya's beauty, strength and resilience gave me wondrous goosebumps whenever I would see his photos from Cheryl and Pacific Wild on social media. As a visual artist, the only way I felt I could honour him was to paint him glowing brightly in all his thriving glory and donate it to Cheryl, whom I had never met but felt a compassion for in her loss of beloved Takaya. I admired his freedom and his resiliency through his story told by Cheryl. Takaya continues to inspire me daily to be bold. I spend many hours in the outdoors of Ontario and while I do, I imagine how Takaya felt when he would look out over Discovery Island where he reigned in regal, stalwart, spiritual magnificence while on this Earth and beyond.”
Artist Bio
Rachael lives in the Niagara Region in the Golden Horseshoe Region of Southern Ontario, Canada. She studied at OCAD University in Toronto in her 20s; however she is mostly self taught. She is a dental hygienist by trade and enjoys camping and all things outdoors. In 2017 she had the pleasure of visiting Vancouver Island including Tofino and Victoria. She hopes to live on the island in retirement so that she can actively contribute to BC wolf conservation efforts and draw/paint the spectacular island wildlife from first-hand observation. Her favourite artistic subjects are animals which she has gravitated to drawing since drawing as a young child. Rather than realism, she strives to capture the personality of the subject animal in her mind’s eye. She has an Instagram page @art_green_nature where visitors can find some of her animal creations in a variety of mediums.
Artist Statement
“I have always had a passion for nature and particularly for wolves. As a follower initially of Pacific Wild on Instagram, I became aware of Takaya and Cheryl Alexander's unique relationship with this magnificent coastal sea wolf. When I learned of his unfortunate fate, I wept because his strong spirit had touched my soul and he lost to the actions of a human. I have always related to being a lone wolf trying to survive in a tough world while raising children that I have encouraged to respect every creature from insects to whales and in between. Takaya's beauty, strength and resilience gave me wondrous goosebumps whenever I would see his photos from Cheryl and Pacific Wild on social media. As a visual artist, the only way I felt I could honour him was to paint him glowing brightly in all his thriving glory and donate it to Cheryl, whom I had never met but felt a compassion for in her loss of beloved Takaya. I admired his freedom and his resiliency through his story told by Cheryl. Takaya continues to inspire me daily to be bold. I spend many hours in the outdoors of Ontario and while I do, I imagine how Takaya felt when he would look out over Discovery Island where he reigned in regal, stalwart, spiritual magnificence while on this Earth and beyond.”
Artist Bio
Rachael lives in the Niagara Region in the Golden Horseshoe Region of Southern Ontario, Canada. She studied at OCAD University in Toronto in her 20s; however she is mostly self taught. She is a dental hygienist by trade and enjoys camping and all things outdoors. In 2017 she had the pleasure of visiting Vancouver Island including Tofino and Victoria. She hopes to live on the island in retirement so that she can actively contribute to BC wolf conservation efforts and draw/paint the spectacular island wildlife from first-hand observation. Her favourite artistic subjects are animals which she has gravitated to drawing since drawing as a young child. Rather than realism, she strives to capture the personality of the subject animal in her mind’s eye. She has an Instagram page @art_green_nature where visitors can find some of her animal creations in a variety of mediums.