American Horse

acrylic on canvas
60 x 60
A play on the visual horse you see which appears as an American flag, and two famous Indians who were both named American Horse. One of these men fought at the Little Big Horn (June 25, 1876) and was killed at the Battle of Slim Buttes later that year (September 1876). The other American Horse became a delegate to Washington DC and sought peace for his people in the West.

(The interesting thing here is that right after I drew out the figures, and as I was beginning to ponder HOW I wanted to paint this rider and horse, I heard a voice in my head which said merely, "American horse." This had not been my intention but once having heard the whisper in my ear, I said, "OK! American horse it is!")