wolf – 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.

Happy Howlidays

Yes! Christmas has gone to the dogs, so… you might as well join the fun and howl away the howlidays too. This artwork depicts how I think dogs would like to celebrate Christmas-floating above town in a sleigh and howling out their favorite Christmas tunes.

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.

Do Not Disturb

Medium: Watercolor, Image Size: 14″h x 21″w, T-shirt Image Size: 8″h x 12″w, 2006.

I adapted this illustration from a painted I did title “Do Not Disturb”. I floated the wolf from the painting and combined it with some southwestern style graphics.

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.

Alpenglow Wolf

While out back country skiing on Mt. Shasta in northern California, I skied past this spot and was so impressed with how beautiful Mt. Shasta was in rosy light of the setting sun, so I painted this scene to capture that amazing moment. I painted the wolf in the setting to symbolize how grand and noble the Mountain is.

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

Reproductions available on Etsy.

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

Pacific Northwest Wolf Totem

Pacific Northwest Wolf Totem

I tried a new graphic style for this artwork that was influenced by the traditional artworks of the Alaskan and Canadian indigenous artists. It is a totemic style with some shading.

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.

Foxy Christmas

This design was created as a Christmas card design for 2019. I wanted a fancy cartoon style of a cute fox cub. Little fox cubs don’t get much cuter than this little guy. He’s got the big-eyed innocent look that makes him adorable. The branches and ribbon were painted in Photoshop.

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.

Illuminated Wolf

Oil painting of a wolf in snow by Janet Tarjan Erl.

Illuminated Wolf

Medium: Oil, Image Size: 20 “h x 28″w, 2000.

I portrayed this wolf watching from the cover of a snow laden tree. I intentionally made the wolf appear mostly concealed to show the cautiousness and intelligence of these wild animals. Had this been a real situation, I likely would have never seen the wolf, even if it was really there, because predators, like wolves, can be so quiet. I was inspired to create this painting after back country skiing on Mt. Shasta in northern California. The sun was setting and cast long blue shadows against a pink and golden snow-covered landscape. The colors, shapes, and textures were so striking as they illuminated the landscape. It felt so magical to be there, that I imagined animals could be watching from everywhere in that forest.

Original is sold.

Reproductions available on Etsy.

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

Spirited Wolf

Watercolor painting of a wolf in snow by Janet Tarjan Erl.

Spirited Wolf

Medium: Watercolor, Image Size: 19″h x 30″w, 1994.

I painted this spirited timber wolf happily strolling through a snow-covered landscape. This setting was one of the many scenes I saw while skiing on the flanks of Mt. Shasta. It’s a nice setting, but it is especially enhanced by the presence of the wolf.

Original is sold.

Reproductions available on Etsy.

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