"Takaya" by Shawn Loewen - Original
Artist Statement
When I watched the documentary of Takaya on CBC, I was moved like everyone else who enjoyed this amazing story. The devastating news of his sudden death was very sad, but when bad things happen, humans tend to rally together and try to create something good in the world.
With the help of these dedicated people and their conservation interests, these amazing wildlife stories will always have a chance of a good ending in the future.
Around the time of Takaya's killing, I had purchased a large canvas and was not sure what I wanted to create with it. Because of his tragic demise I thought it would be appropriate to do a tribute painting of this beautiful animal. I wanted to find a great reference photo that captured him in his element on the island. Thanks to Cheryl Alexander and all her fantastic photos she took during her time documenting Takaya's journey. I was able to find the perfect reference photo and with her permission I began my version of what she captured in the photo. I feel the photo I used shows him as a independent, dominate animal on the island . The rock below Takaya reveals how hard it was for a wolf to survive outside of their normal habitat. The Island had very few elements that a wolf needs for survival, but Takaya not only survived there he thrived in his new surroundings. The simple blue sky back drop focuses on Takaya "The Lone Wolf.” It makes you wonder if he was wanting to be alone or was he seeking a mate and his ventures led him to be alone not by desire , but by curiosity.
Artist Bio
Shawn Loewen is a self taught artist and founder of Lost Wolf Art and Design from Edmonton AB. As a young boy he always liked to draw, but it wasn't until his late twenties when he picked up his first airbrush that he really became creative. Painting on almost anything from snowmobiles, cars , helmets, aluminum, wood, basically anything with a hard surface. Due to his full time job as a Journeyman Autobody Refinisher for the last 25 years, he lost interest in airbrushing in his spare time after spraying paint on cars everyday. In 2017 he discovered acrylic paint, a canvas and a brush. Since then he has enjoyed painting seascapes , landscapes and animals . Being an animal lover, his passion for painting wildlife has been his focus for the last year. Shawn likes to utilize fluid and soft acrylics in his works. Although most of his work has been on stretched canvas he also likes to paint on recycled pallet wood, tree slabs and hard board panels. Recently Shawn has started to incorporate airbrushing back into his work. He also enjoys working with wood and builds his own custom frames for his art. You can see more of his work @lostwolfartanddesign
Artist Statement
When I watched the documentary of Takaya on CBC, I was moved like everyone else who enjoyed this amazing story. The devastating news of his sudden death was very sad, but when bad things happen, humans tend to rally together and try to create something good in the world.
With the help of these dedicated people and their conservation interests, these amazing wildlife stories will always have a chance of a good ending in the future.
Around the time of Takaya's killing, I had purchased a large canvas and was not sure what I wanted to create with it. Because of his tragic demise I thought it would be appropriate to do a tribute painting of this beautiful animal. I wanted to find a great reference photo that captured him in his element on the island. Thanks to Cheryl Alexander and all her fantastic photos she took during her time documenting Takaya's journey. I was able to find the perfect reference photo and with her permission I began my version of what she captured in the photo. I feel the photo I used shows him as a independent, dominate animal on the island . The rock below Takaya reveals how hard it was for a wolf to survive outside of their normal habitat. The Island had very few elements that a wolf needs for survival, but Takaya not only survived there he thrived in his new surroundings. The simple blue sky back drop focuses on Takaya "The Lone Wolf.” It makes you wonder if he was wanting to be alone or was he seeking a mate and his ventures led him to be alone not by desire , but by curiosity.
Artist Bio
Shawn Loewen is a self taught artist and founder of Lost Wolf Art and Design from Edmonton AB. As a young boy he always liked to draw, but it wasn't until his late twenties when he picked up his first airbrush that he really became creative. Painting on almost anything from snowmobiles, cars , helmets, aluminum, wood, basically anything with a hard surface. Due to his full time job as a Journeyman Autobody Refinisher for the last 25 years, he lost interest in airbrushing in his spare time after spraying paint on cars everyday. In 2017 he discovered acrylic paint, a canvas and a brush. Since then he has enjoyed painting seascapes , landscapes and animals . Being an animal lover, his passion for painting wildlife has been his focus for the last year. Shawn likes to utilize fluid and soft acrylics in his works. Although most of his work has been on stretched canvas he also likes to paint on recycled pallet wood, tree slabs and hard board panels. Recently Shawn has started to incorporate airbrushing back into his work. He also enjoys working with wood and builds his own custom frames for his art. You can see more of his work @lostwolfartanddesign
Artist Statement
When I watched the documentary of Takaya on CBC, I was moved like everyone else who enjoyed this amazing story. The devastating news of his sudden death was very sad, but when bad things happen, humans tend to rally together and try to create something good in the world.
With the help of these dedicated people and their conservation interests, these amazing wildlife stories will always have a chance of a good ending in the future.
Around the time of Takaya's killing, I had purchased a large canvas and was not sure what I wanted to create with it. Because of his tragic demise I thought it would be appropriate to do a tribute painting of this beautiful animal. I wanted to find a great reference photo that captured him in his element on the island. Thanks to Cheryl Alexander and all her fantastic photos she took during her time documenting Takaya's journey. I was able to find the perfect reference photo and with her permission I began my version of what she captured in the photo. I feel the photo I used shows him as a independent, dominate animal on the island . The rock below Takaya reveals how hard it was for a wolf to survive outside of their normal habitat. The Island had very few elements that a wolf needs for survival, but Takaya not only survived there he thrived in his new surroundings. The simple blue sky back drop focuses on Takaya "The Lone Wolf.” It makes you wonder if he was wanting to be alone or was he seeking a mate and his ventures led him to be alone not by desire , but by curiosity.
Artist Bio
Shawn Loewen is a self taught artist and founder of Lost Wolf Art and Design from Edmonton AB. As a young boy he always liked to draw, but it wasn't until his late twenties when he picked up his first airbrush that he really became creative. Painting on almost anything from snowmobiles, cars , helmets, aluminum, wood, basically anything with a hard surface. Due to his full time job as a Journeyman Autobody Refinisher for the last 25 years, he lost interest in airbrushing in his spare time after spraying paint on cars everyday. In 2017 he discovered acrylic paint, a canvas and a brush. Since then he has enjoyed painting seascapes , landscapes and animals . Being an animal lover, his passion for painting wildlife has been his focus for the last year. Shawn likes to utilize fluid and soft acrylics in his works. Although most of his work has been on stretched canvas he also likes to paint on recycled pallet wood, tree slabs and hard board panels. Recently Shawn has started to incorporate airbrushing back into his work. He also enjoys working with wood and builds his own custom frames for his art. You can see more of his work @lostwolfartanddesign