Misty Ring- The Ecological Pattern of the Red Fox

This ecological pattern is inspired by the textile and wallpaper designs of William Morris and the Arts & Crafts movement. While Morris informs the decorative structure and repetition, this work uses pattern as a storytelling device—mapping relationships between species through a shared visual language. The pattern itself does not depict the red fox directly; instead, it serves as the conceptual foundation for the paintings Trouble and Mischief, where the fox is rendered realistically and the pattern is echoed in simplified form.

Rather than describing a single location, the pattern draws from a shared North American woodland biome, focusing on relational ecology. Beaked hazelnut (Corylus cornuta) appears throughout in multiple stages of its life cycle, representing growth and seasonal change. Interwoven are walnut sphinx moths (Amorpha juglandis) and their caterpillars, which feed on host foliage. The American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) feed on both the nuts and caterpillars, forming an intermediate layer within the system. 

In the paintings, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes)—one of the most widely distributed carnivores in the world—sits at the top of this network, preying on these species and linking each element together. The repeating structure of the pattern reflects the cyclical and interdependent nature of these relationships, where no organism exists in isolation.

Drawing on the Arts & Crafts movement’s response to industrialization, this work offers a
contemporary reflection on how we relate to the natural world. It invites curiosity and close observation, encouraging viewers to consider the interconnected systems that shape life across shared environments.

The Ecological Pattern of the Red Fox
Limited Edition Reproduction 2/48- 11/48
Image size: 11.5 × 14.4 in
Paper size: 15 × 18 in

50% of the proceeds from this piece will be donated to Valley Zoo Development Society to support their conservation efforts. To learn more about their work please visit www.buildingourzoo.com