"Courage"

16”w x 20”w x .75”d Original mixed media collage on canvas. All copyright and reproduction rights are reserved by the artist.

I was born, raised and currently living in the beautiful state of Iowa. After recently moving to the country where we’re surrounded by rolling hills and grasslands, I can’t help but think about the indigenous native people and animals that shared this land before colonization.

Two hundred years ago Bison ran in herds of millions searching for grasslands to feast on. We can only imagine the sound of the roaring thunder from millions of hooves stampeding across the plains. The Bison represents the Great Mother, giving of herself so that others will live.

Symbolizing abundance, strength, courage and gratitude to name a few. Native indigenous people held high respect for the sacred bison honoring every part of the body. The bison provided life and is remembered as the ruler of the plains symbolizing freedom.

“But you’ve made me strong as a charging bison, you’ve honored me with a festive parade. The sight of my critics going down is still fresh, the rout of my malicious detractors. My ears are filled with the sounds of promise: “Good people will prosper like palm trees, Grow tall like Lebanon cedars; transplanted to God’s courtyard, They’ll grow tall in the presence of God, lithe and green, virile still in old age.””
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭92‬:‭10‬-‭14‬ ‭MSG‬‬