Brothers Bison is a canvas that survived a studio fire that happened one stormy morning in 2011. The fire started by a lightning strike to power lines that hung above my studio. The electrical fire couldn't be put out until the power was cut. It completely destroyed my studio and 20+ years of work and supplies. However, this one canvas that was blank was rescued by one of the firemen. Hey buddy! Never mind the rows of finished paintings in the storage racks. Anyway, it was the first canvas I started after I rebuilt my studio in 2012. It still smelled like smoke.

Brothers Bison became a reflection on personal growth. It was about becoming a man with responsibilities and self-control. The Bison on the right is young and brash and ready to confront the viewer. The Brother on the left however, is older and has temperament. He is less concerned by our intrusion on their prairie. A storm in the distance reflects the intermittent and sometimes violent change that is necessary for growth. The vibrant palette is an homage to the fire that forever changed me one morning in 2011.