Great Moose Uncle, Wolf Uncle Gray, Snowshoe Hare Leo & Diane Dillon

The composition presents a layered narrative, blending human and animal forms within a stylized landscape. A dominant moose figure looms over three individuals arranged in a hierarchical fashion. The mooses antlers extend across the upper portion of the frame, partially obscuring the face of one individual positioned directly beneath it. This placement suggests a protective or ancestral relationship between the moose and those below.
The central figure is rendered with striking prominence; their gaze is direct and unwavering, conveying a sense of authority or perhaps spiritual connection. The elaborate headdress worn by this person incorporates elements that resemble animal fur and geometric patterns, blurring the boundaries between human identity and the natural world. Two other figures flank the central individual. One appears to be gesturing upwards towards the moose, while the other points in a direction outside the frame, potentially indicating guidance or shared knowledge.
The background is characterized by flat planes of color – a pale blue-green above and a warmer ochre below – creating a sense of depth without relying on traditional perspective. Scattered across the upper portion are small, stylized depictions of trees and geometric shapes, which could represent constellations or symbolic markers within a cultural landscape. The overall effect is one of mythic storytelling, where human figures exist in close proximity to powerful animal spirits, suggesting a complex system of kinship and shared existence.
The color palette – dominated by earthy tones contrasted with the cool blue-green – contributes to the painting’s evocative atmosphere. The use of bold outlines and simplified forms lends a graphic quality to the work, reminiscent of traditional storytelling techniques. It is likely that this piece aims to convey cultural narratives or ancestral connections through a visual language that combines human and animal imagery in a symbolic manner.