This spectacular circular carving features the glaring eyes of the Owl, with Wolf above and Mouseman below.  This piece measures 19 inches across, priced at $3950.

The carving is deep and precise, and immaculately executed. The yellow cedar is painted with shades of black and gray, featuring the natural creamy tones of the wood. Cedar bark rope and a feathered topknot complete the piece.

The artist is a member of the Kwakwaka’wakw First Nation, based in Alert Bay on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Born into a very important carving family in 1974, the artist wasted no time taking on the mantel of greatness from his uncles, mother, and extended family members all excelling in their artwork.

Today his pieces are collected worldwide. His style is a distinctive fusion of traditional and contemporary and is easily recognizable for fine detail and extremely high design quality. It’s our honor to present this piece at Forest Gems.

It’s really special to see these three entities featured in combination. There is legend between the Owl, the Mouse (usually specified in stories as Mouseman and/or Mousewoman.) the Wolf.

In Native American folklore, Mouse can prove that small size does not preclude courage and persistence. Tiny mice can succeed at a task where others have failed (even the important mythic role of Fire-Stealer, in some tribes.)

Owls are frequently the subject of numerous ‘bogeyman’ stories told to warn children to stay inside at night or not cry too much, otherwise the owl may carry them away. They are often included in legend as a messenger to medicine men, and as a warning to be careful of impending issues.

In most Native cultures, Wolf is considered a medicine entity associated with courage, strength, loyalty, and success at hunting. Like bears, wolves are considered closely related to humans. Many North American tribes such as the Quileute and the Kwakiutl, tell of their first ancestors being transformed from wolves into men.

Mouse: Innocence, scrutiny, order, organizer, eye for details, grounded, super-aware, temerity.

Wolf: Loyalty, perseverance, success, intuition, spirit, appetite for freedom, can be a loner.

Owl: Wisdom, deception, intuition, insight, messenger, mystery, freedom, secrets, stealth, vision.

Cherokee legend of the Two Wolves:

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy. “It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.”

 He continued, “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”