Oil on Canvas, 48in x 48n, framed
$10,250
For many artists, including me, dreams can have a powerful and direct influence on the work we create. I based "Brother Buffalo" on a series of dreams I had about North American Bison. In several of these dreams, I met members of a Bison family, a lineage of very wise and ancient beings who welcomed me as a little sister of sorts. Images of those bison remained in my dreams for these past several years until I could come up with a way to do them justice with oil paint.
To get the effect of "presence" that I wanted, I knew the painting would have to be large, almost life size, in order for the viewer to get the full impact of this bull Bison. I also wanted the painting to be loose, energetic, and expressive, which meant I would have to blend the spontaneity and energy of watercolors with the permanence and power of oils.
I began to paint on a large canvas with a very absorbent ground. Thinning down the first layer of oils with mineral spirits and Galkyd Lite medium, I applied the paint to a vertical canvas and let it flow on its own. Yes, I had to use a tarp under my easel to catch the extra paint that ran off!
I allowed this first layer to dry overnight, then came back in over the next several days to add details with thicker paint. Most people think Bison are simply brown, but if an artist paints them solely in that color, the finished piece just won't "read" right to the viewer. In reality, a Bison's fur is very reflective of its surroundings...which is why in this piece, you'll see a multitude of purples, blues, teals, and even copper highlighting this bull's fur.
The finished piece is a presence in any room, but the colors I used are generally neutral so it also doesn't scream "Look at me!" and overwhelm the room. He is simply there as a reminder of the presence of nature.
This piece, and many others, are available at The Breckenridge Gallery in Colorado.
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