I have had many different ideas in my head about painting that wonderful, mysterious creature, the wolf. Because Yellowstone and the wolf have a special place in my heart, I got the idea to combine both in a painting.

On one of my trips to Yellowstone, I followed a coyote, the smaller cousin of the wolf, for a long distance, and he brought me to one of the most beautiful places I had ever seen in the park. The harmony of the dry grasses and the different colored rocks, from blacks to blues, excited me. Places such as this inspire me a great deal, and I am very grateful that the coyote brought me there. The coyote's colors, very similar to those of the wolf, fit well into this nice scenery, so I hope the coyote will not be jealous that I painted a wolf instead. For me, it is a wonderful experience to be able to get inspiration from such an encounter in the wilderness.

- Carl Brenders