Animals
Dai's deep love and reverence for wild ones can easily be seen in the way they portray these creatures, both on the land and in our homes.
Fox on Cherry Creek
2026
Winter Solace
2026
Sunblood
2025
Years ago, I found myself in a monsoon pattern rainstorm in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. As a wilderness guide, I was not concerned, but I was also well aware of the need for action. Looking around, I found two old spruce trees, holding warmth and dryness benieth their bows. Their lower branches were dead and dry, and crystalized sap created jewels along their bark. From their dead limbs and crystal blood I was able to easily make a small fire that kept my body and spirit warm throughout the storm. I thianked the trees for their protection and the sun for feeding these trees and for its ever predictable return.
Hunter
2026
Looking East
2026
An Otter at Summit Lake
2025
I've spent a lot of time wandering around muddy places looking at wild life tracks, but when I saw the five toes of a bounding otter, I took a double take. This wasn't a place I had ever known an otter to be.
It wasn't until days later when I saw them face to face, bobbing there neck and body towards me that I truly believed what I had already known.
I never saw them or their prints there again, but I haven't forgotten them or their reminder to be curious, keep looking, and trust myself.
Fox Dreams
2025
Sleep well my dear one. Sleep safe and held. May you dream sweet dreams and wake to a welcoming world anew.
On Night's Wings
2025
A poem by Wendell Berry:
To go in the dark with a light is to know the light.
To know the dark, go dark. Go without sight,
and find that the dark, too, blooms and sings,
and is traveled by dark feet and dark wings.
Cougar
2026
Come on, Gal!
2025
Inspired by Ursula LeGuin's 1987 short story, Buffalo Gals Won't You Come Out Tonight, this painting tells the story of a otherworldly invitation to come see the vastness of the southwest mountain forest desert as seen by the wild ones who have always called this place home.
