Nature Designs – Tarjan Studio

Wolf Moon

Garment illustration by Janet Tarjan Erl

Wolf Moon

Medium: Watercolor, Image Size: 20”h X 20”w, 2002.

I wanted to capture the essence of dignified and noble wolves, so I selected poses that showed their magnificence but also showed their beauty. I added the full moon because the full moon is a time for the pack to howl and hunt together at night. The beaded satchel was added for an interesting diagonal element, but also symbolizes the connection to native cultures and their reverence for wolves.

The wolves were painted on paper with watercolors and then scanned into a digital file. I floated them in Photoshop into three separate wolf layers. I then painted the moon and the satchel in Photoshop, each as separate layers. Lastly, stacked all the layers to create the final image.

This wolf art was originally created as a T-shirt design for Trekker Designs, and it was originally titled Soul Mates.

Reproductions available on Etsy.

Note: Image Watermark of Copyright and/or Website are NOT on the Original.

Wise Wolf

Medium: Watercolor, Image Size: 22″h x22″w, 1997.

This was one of my Native Visions collection of illustrations where wildlife and Native American beadwork were combined together. Each design pays homage to an important animal in Native American mythology. The beadwork is painted to create the illusion of beads complete with imperfections. It was done in Photoshop, and I created my own custom bead brushes to do it. I admire wolves because they are intelligent, and I wanted to capture that quality in this artwork.

Painted in watercolor. Scanned into the computer, floated, painting enhancements, graphics, colors, effects, and text were done in Photoshop.

Note: Image Watermark of Copyright and/or Website are NOT on the Original.

Where Wolf

This design was created as an apparel design for T-shirts. I thought this would make an interesting design by having the wolf comprised of nine different animals. Things aren’t always what they appear to be as is the case with this Wherewolf. What at first appears to be a nice portrait of a wolf head, is actually an image comprised of many hidden animals. Where are all the animals in the ‘Wherewolf’? Find the grey squirrel, field mouse, snow goose, raccoon, western fence lizard, coyote, red-tailed hawk, and bobcat.

Painted in watercolor, scanned into the computer, floated, graphics, colors, effects, and text were done in Photoshop.

Note: Image Watermark of Copyright and/or Website are NOT on the Original.

Proud Wolves – Beadwork

Proud Wolves - Beadwork

Medium: Watercolor, Image Size: 16″h x 22″w, T-shirt Image Size: 10″h x 14″w, 2002.

I did this illustration of two wolves as part of my Native Visions preprint line for T-shirts. Native Visions was a collection of illustrations where wildlife and Native American beadwork were combined together. Each design pays homage to an important animal in Native American mythology. The beadwork is painted to create the illusion of beads complete with imperfections. It was done in Photoshop, and I created my own custom bead brushes to do it. These two wolves look proud and noble.

Painted in watercolor. Scanned into the computer and floated. Digital painting and enhancements, graphics, colors, effects, and text were done in Photoshop.

Note: Image Watermark of Copyright and/or Website are NOT on the Original.

Wolf Mates Beadwork

Wolf Mates Beadwork

Medium: Watercolor, Digital/Photoshop, Image Size: 18”h x 25″w, T-shirt Image Size: 9″h x 12.5″w, 1998.

Painted in watercolor. Scanned into the computer and floated. Digital painting and enhancements, graphics, colors, effects, and text were done in Photoshop.

Note: Image Watermark of Copyright and/or Website are NOT on the Original.

Bald Eagle Beadwork

Medium: Digital Photoshop, Image Size: 21″h x 21″w, T-shirt Image Size: 12”h x 12”w, 1998.

I did this illustration of a Bald Eagle portrait as part of my Native Visions preprint line for T-shirts. Native Visions was a collection of illustrations where wildlife and Native American beadwork were combined together. Each design pays homage to an important animal in Native American mythology. The beadwork is painted to create the illusion of beads complete with imperfections. It was done in Photoshop, and I created my own custom bead brushes to do it. This is a noble portrait of an eagle, and it represents American pride. Whether it symbolizes pride or represents courage, the Bald Eagle has been admired throughout the ages.

Painted in watercolor. Scanned into the computer and floated. Digital painting and enhancements, graphics, colors, effects, and text were done in Photoshop.

Note: Image Watermark of Copyright and/or Website are NOT on the Original.

Curious Fox Beadwork

Medium: Watercolor, Image Size: 16″h x 27″w, T-shirt Image Size: 6″h x 10.5″w, 1997, Revised 2022.

I did this illustration of a Red Fox as part of my Native Visions preprint line for T-shirts. Native Visions is a collection of illustrations where wildlife and Native American beadwork are combined together. This cute, curious red fox glances as if it just saw something stirring. The backdrop is a pretty southwest bead design.

Painted in watercolor. Scanned into the computer and floated. Digital painting and enhancements, graphics, colors, effects, and text were done in Photoshop.

Note: Image Watermark of Copyright and/or Website are NOT on the Original.

Otterly Cool

This design was created as an apparel design for T-shirts. I thought this would make a playful design by having the two Sea Otters and titling it Otterly Cool which is a play on the popular phrase “utterly cool”.

The playful personalities of Sea Otters make them one of America’s most popular aquatic mammals. However, in times past Sea Otters were prized, not for their cute personalities, but for their fine insulating fur which keeps them warm and buoyant. Sea otter fur was so prized the species was nearly hunted into extinction.

Painted in watercolor, scanned into the computer, floated, graphics, colors, effects, and text were done in Photoshop.

Note: Image Watermark of Copyright and/or Website are NOT on the Original.

Pintos

Medium: Watercolor, Image Size: 11″h x 20″w, T-shirt Image Size: 8″h x 15″w, 1998.

This artwork of these perky horses was originally derived from my painting Perky Pinto. I altered it in Photoshop by floating the horses from the background to create a new version for a T-shirt design. I added some beadwork to give it a southwestern look.

Painted in watercolor. Scanned into the computer and floated. Digital painting and enhancements, graphics, colors, effects, and text were done in Photoshop.

Note: Image Watermark of Copyright and/or Website are NOT on the Original.

Rhododendron Graphic

Medium: Digital Photoshop, Image Size: 17″h x22″w, 2020.

I was asked to create an artwork for the Evergreen Coho RV Park to accompany a short story about people who volunteer in the park. I thought a Rhododendron would be a nice subject matter, so I created this colorful, digital graphic. I later used this flower in my digital artwork, Meridian Lake and Mt. Ranier.

Sketched in pencil. Scanned into the computer and floated. Painting, graphics, colors, effects, and text were done in Photoshop.

Note: Image Watermark of Copyright and/or Website are NOT on the Original.