Wolverines

Gulo-gulo on the move

The concept:

Only 30-40 wolverines (Gulo gulo) populate the North Cascades. These are incredible animals (Mustelidae) that can travel great distances through the mountains. They are a snow-obligate species, meaning that they rely on snowpack for a portion of their lifecycle. For wolverines, it is their denning season, from February through May, that is their most vulnerable time. Diminishing spring snowpack due to climate change and human disturbance from vehicles or backcountry recreation threaten the wolverines at this time of year. This print shows one family of wolverines reacting to human disturbance and melt, and setting out to find new habitat.

Learn more from the Cascades Wolverine Project.

The print:

I began with a reduction cut - building layered, snowy habitat for the wolverine to tromp through. Then I sketched in the transient family of wolverines - first sleeping soundly, then becoming wary of human presence, and finally moving the den. I sliced apart these prints and surrounded them with other characters impacting the narrative - the trees and rock that generate habitat and the room for a den, the human footprint, chaotic assemblages of environment-people. I also incorporated woodcuts of the wolverine family. After pasting the major pieces together, I wove fragments of texture and color throughout the scene for something to keep it cohesive and lead the eye.