Remembering an Icon

Remembering an Icon

Pastel
18X22 (unframed for now)

American Buffalo, In Progress 3

American Buffalo, In Progress 2

Before I began this painting, I really did not know much about the American buffalo other than the animal as a forgotten icon of the west. As the painting progresses, I have been studying the history of the buffalo and am finding a new respect for their struggle and resilience. One author [Rinella] sums up the complexity of the buffalo as icon: “At once it is a symbol of the tenacity of the wilderness and the destruction of the wilderness; it’s a symbol of North American culture and the death of North American culture; it’s a symbol of the strength and vitality of America and the pettiness and greed of America; it represents frontier both
forgotten and remembered: it stand for freedom and captivity, extinction and salvation.”

Did you know?

1. There are 18 states with a town or city named Buffalo, though the largest, in New York State, never had a population of wild buffalo living in its vicinity.
2. Animals from singer/songwriter Neil Young’s private herd populated Kevin Costner’s 1990 film, “Dances with Wolves.”

3. Estimated numbers in 1830 = 70 - 150 million

4. 1870-1875 estimated 2,500,000 were taken annually for use by the American fur companies, sport hunting, and to deprive the Native Americans of their livelihood.

5. Less than 300 wild animals remained in the U.S. and Canada by the turn of the century out of the millions that once lived there.

6. The word “buffalo” is connected to a garment worn by the early English settlers known as the “Buff Coat.”“When Englishmen arrived in the New World, they would often describe any animal that yielded such leather as a ‘buff’….” But the name “buffalo” had already been given to the water buffalo in Asia and the Cape buffalo of Africa. Since there was nothing genetically similar about these animals, later taxonomists labeled the North American beast “bison bison.” (“Bison” means “oxlike animal.”)

7. Many of today's highways follow roadways trampled out by migrating buffalo herd.

Buffalo, In Progress

Today being a snow day, I have decided to gain a little momentum on the buffalo painting. The background is developing into a cool white that will contrast the darker values of the animal's fur. And since there is about a foot of snow on the ground, a "snowy" background seemed the most appropriate for the day.

Starting the new buffalo

I have decided to go with a textured surface for the buffalo painting in pastel. I think the rough texture will mimic and enhance the woolly, rugged quality of the animal's hair. I am applying the acrylic ground texture to 300lb Arches watercolor paper after coloring it with acrylic paint. I mixed a neutral blue color that will serve as the underpainting. I plan where to concentrate the texture, working the ground around with a palette knife, plastic wrap, or whatever will give me the texture I am looking for. Then I let it dry and sand the surface a little if needed.

I chose a format that will make the image approx. 18X22 (framed 26X30), though really the subject calls to be much, much larger. I then block in the large shapes with a hard NuPastel stick and add a few drawing details to the focal areas (here the eyes and horns). Most of the drawing I will do as I go and the forms begin to take shape. Doesn't look like much now...

Buffalo Study in Pastel

Switching gears a little. I am beginning a commission of an American Buffalo in pastel. Not having many buffalo in Northern Virginia (if any) to use for reference, I have chosen an image off a royalty-free photo website. I hope to change the image enough to make it my own. Above is a value and composition study done on gray Velour paper about 8X11. I like the soft effects of the pastel on velour, but can't decide if I want more texture as with the other animals I've done in pastel on watercolor paper. I have a few more days before my supplies arrive and so a few more days to decide.