Against the Wind

This piece was inspired by a trip my husband and I took to Yellowstone, where I had the chance to photograph a herd of bison up close. 

Standing near them, you can feel the weight of their presence—quiet, but powerful.

While the original photo captured a still moment, this painting became something different. I wanted to recreate not just what I saw, but what it felt like to be there-the sense of movement, the dust rising, and the intensity of being in their path.

The composition evolved as I worked, bringing the bison forward and giving each one its own presence while still moving together as a group. The center bison drives that forward energy, with the others framing the motion and pulling you into the scene.

A lot of focus went into texture and light—building up the fur, softening the background, and letting them emerge from the dust. I wanted them to feel alive and close enough that you almost take a step back.

This piece is about that moment when something wild shifts from peaceful to powerful, and you realize just how small you are in it.

Oil on canvas, 32” x 48”, 2025