In a series that often explores quiet sanctuaries and intimate inner worlds, Running with Wolves stands apart as a study of raw strength and primal energy. Modeled by my Crossfit coach and friend, the male figure embodies both the discipline of the individual and the power of the collective. The wolves gather around him, echoing humanity’s timeless need for a tribe—a pack that offers belonging, protection, and identity.

Yet within the group, hierarchy emerges. There is always a leader, one who bears the weight of responsibility and drives the course forward. The rope becomes both tether and lifeline, a symbol of connection between man and beast, leader and follower, self and community.

Though outwardly fierce, the painting belongs to the same “little kingdom” as my more intimate works: it is about finding one’s place in the world, navigating the tension between individuality and togetherness, and honoring the instinct that binds us to one another.