The Story Behind the Painting

Coyote’s Lunar Serenade began long before I became known for luminous Sedona landscapes or fluorescent acrylics. In 1993, while living in New Jersey, I was working exclusively in watercolor. Drawing did not come easily to me then, so I relied on creative problem-solving—searching for inspiration wherever I could find it until this watercolor titled Coyote Moon emerged.

That early painting planted a quiet seed.

Years later, after moving to Sedona, everything changed. The red rocks, desert night skies, and the subtle energy of the landscape reshaped not only my work but also my understanding of what art could be. Sedona taught me that paintings could glow, radiate emotion, and feel alive. When I began working with fluorescent acrylics, I knew that Coyote Moon deserved a second life.

“Coyote Moon” – A glimpse into the Southwest, created in ’93.

Coyote’s Lunar Serenade became that rebirth.

Reimagining the original watercolor in fluorescent acrylics meant stepping fully into the Day-to-Night style that now defines my work. Layer by layer, the desert nightscape came alive. In natural light, the coyote stands quietly beneath a moonlit sky. Under black light, the painting shifts—colors intensify, hidden energy reveals itself, and the scene takes on a luminous, dimensional presence.

Coyote’s Lunar Serenade is more than a reinterpretation of an earlier idea. It reflects a long creative arc—growth, persistence, and the discovery of a voice that feels fully my own. Each layer carries the memory of where the journey began and the confidence of where it has arrived.

Coyote’s Lunar Serenade offers more than a lone howling coyote beneath a glowing moon. A second coyote shape is subtly hidden among the rock formations, waiting to be discovered by those who linger with the piece. Near the foreground, a roadrunner races across the desert — a detail contributed by my friend and fellow artist Robert Shields — creating a quiet, playful link to my Sedona painting Sedona’s Red Rock Roadrunner.

Hidden hearts are woven throughout the rocks and sky, gentle symbols of the love we carry for the land and the love the land gives in return. These layered elements invite viewers to slow down, explore, and form a personal connection with the painting beyond the first glance.

Day-to-Night Transformation

In daylight, Coyote’s Lunar Serenade reveals layered color, patterned skies, and a sense of stillness that invites reflection. Under black light, the original painting transforms. Fluorescent pigments ignite, the moon radiates outward, and the desert landscape takes on a glowing, almost sculptural presence.

This transformation is unique to the original painting. Reproductions do not fluoresce, but they faithfully preserve the composition, color harmony, and atmosphere that define the work.

Available Formats & Editions

Coyote’s Lunar Serenade is available in the following formats:

• Original fluorescent acrylic painting
  • Limited Edition Hand-Embellished Giclées (edition of 25)
  • Canvas gallery wrap giclées
  • Luminous Metal prints
  • Giclée art prints

Each Limited Edition Hand-Embellished Giclée begins as a museum-quality giclée made at the same size as the original. It is then returned to my studio, where I hand-embellish the surface using fluorescent acrylics—adding texture, subtle color shifts, and glowing highlights.

Even for works that were not originally painted with fluorescents, these hand-embellished editions may receive fluorescent acrylic accents by request, introducing the same luminous, day-to-night presence that has become a hallmark of my work. No two are ever exactly alike.

The Heart of It All

Art lights up the same part of your brain as

falling in love—it’s an unforgettable feeling.

Collector’s Note

Collectors are often drawn to Coyote’s Lunar Serenade for its sense of quiet mystery and emotional depth. It brings calm, reflection, and a subtle glow into a space—especially in rooms meant for evening light, rest, or contemplation.

Within my Top Nine collection, this piece represents stillness and listening. It offers a gentle counterpoint to more playful works like Sedona’s Red Rock Roadrunner and pairs naturally with moon-driven paintings such as Cathedral Moon.

Coyote’s Lunar Serenade is part of my ongoing exploration of luminous Southwest art inspired by Sedona’s landscapes.

Gallery Representation

My work is also featured at the Village Gallery in Sedona—a Sedona art gallery known for representing only hand-made artwork by local artists, widely regarded as the true heart of Sedona’s art community