I have developed a fascination with foxes this summer. I tend to be interested in canids in general, but foxes have been showing up in our neighborhood, and in the backyard, camera feeds of friends. I decided the universe was telling me it was time to paint another fox.
I found several photos in my reference library, focusing on photos where the fox was looking directly at the camera and started playing around with sketches. This painting is the result.
As with many of my animal paintings, I made the eyes the focus, and I made the expression on her face and in her eyes a little more human than would be found in nature. And for some reason, I wanted to make the background have an ancient, crumbling wall feel. I think, eventually, this might be used as a book illustration. (I need to get around to writing the book!)
A few items about foxes
They are very bright, playful, and sassy. Some Native American myths call the fox a jester or trickster. Celtic tradition considers the fox a forest guide or a guide through the spirit world.
On the name for the painting
In graduate school, I got to know a fellow student. He is a fantastic illustrator and a college professor. Through him, I got to know his family, and through the magic of Facebook, I developed a friendship with his daughter. She is also bright, playful, sassy, and smart as a whip. Scarlett The Fox is named for her.