4 by 4′s                                                                                                                                                                              JimJ10

Ole Paint                                 Prisma Pencil on paper 15 ” x 18 “                                                    by JimJ10

This image is of contained wildness. This containment that started the first time we decided it was man against nature. That nature must be tamed. This idea has led to all the denial of our very nature, our soul, our Wild Man our Wild Women our connection to the Great Mother. It has led to the destruction of our natural environment. Mother earth is the essence of our very being. Our Wildness Within.

” The Wild Man part of each man that was once in touch with wilderness and wild animals has sunk down below the water of the mind, out of sight, below human memory. Covered with hair now, it looks as if it were an animal itself. ” from IRON JOHN by Robert Bly

I photographed this bull Buffalo, in the snow near our ranch. Because of their unpredictable behavior their Wildness that is always there, the ranchers that raise them build much stronger fences than used for domesticated cattle.

Seeing the caged sacred animal of the plains inspired me to create an image of him in his natural environment without fences. When they roamed free on the plains where I live.

Title: BUFFALO LOVE

Medium: Pastel and Prisma Pencil 15″ x 19″ By: JimJ08

For prints: jamesjohnson@nvc.net

Title: WAITING FOR THE HERD

Medium: Pastel and Prisma Pencil 20″x15″ By: JimJ

This drawing is of Andrew, his horses and his dog Snickers. Andrew is a freelance cowboy. He travels from ranch to ranch in his aged pickup and horse trailer helping out at roundup time. He is one of the last of a disappearing breed of cowboys that ride the Northern Plains. He is pictured here waiting for all of the herd on Caspers ranch.

For Prints: jamesjohnson@nvc.net

Title: MIRACLES’ BIRTH
Medium: Pastel and Colored Pencil Drawing 25″x 17″
By: Jim J

Artists Statement: This drawing was drawn to honor MIRACLE the Sacred White Buffalo Calf born in Janesville, Wisconsin in 1994. MIRACLE, the Sacred White Buffalo, was a sacred symbol of hope and prophecy to many American Indian Nations. The chances of the birth of a white buffalo are about one in 10 million. She was the first of the Sacred White Buffalo to be born since 1933. After her birth she started changing colors within months. In fulfillment of certain prophecies of numerous indigenous cultures, she turned all colors of humanity…white, black, red, yellow, brown. The white buffalo calf came from the Plains Indian legend of The White Buffalo Calf Woman.

For prints – jamesjohnson@nvc.net

Title: RED WHIP – ATSINA
Medium: Pastel and Colored Pencil Drawing 15″x 19″
By: Jim J

Also called Gros Ventres of the Prairie North American Indian tribe related to the Algonquian-speaking Arapaho, from which they may have separated as early as 1700. The Atsina were living in what is now northern Montana and adjacent regions of Canada in late-prehistoric times and were culturally similar to other Plains tribes. Atsina descendants numbered more than 6,000 in the early 21st century.

For prints – jamesjohnson@nvc.net

Title : SITTING BULL – TATANKA IYOTOAKE

Medium: Pastel and Prisma Pencil Drawing 16″x19″ By: JimJ

His name TATANKA IYOTOAKE describes a buffalo bull sitting intractably on its haunches. He was a HUNKPAPA LAKOTA Chief, and Holy Man under whom the Lakota Tribes united in their struggle for survival on the – Northern Plains. This picture depicts his incampment in the Big Horn Mountains of Montana in 1873.

For prints – jamesjohnson@nvc.net

Title: RED WING – CROW (APSAROKE )

Medium: Pastel and Prisma Pencil Drawing
By: JimJ 06

RED WING – “Ahpishshish” Apsaroke – Mountain Crow Tribe – (B. 1858) RED WING was a member of the Piegan Lodge Clan and the Lumpwood Society. He led successful war parties against the enemy Sioux and also served as a US Scout at Fort Custer.” Quotes from The North American Indian: “In stature and in vigor the Apsaroke, or Crows, excelled all other tribes of the Rocky Mountain region, “The Apsaroke were and are the proudest of Indians, and although relatively few, they rarely allied themselves with other tribes for the purpose of defense. This mountain tribe likened itself to a pack of wolves.”

For prints – jamesjohnson@nvc.net

Title : APPALOOSA – THE FIRST HORSE

Medium: Pastel and Prisma pencil drawing 15″x 19″                                                                                                                               By: JimJ

The Appaloosa wasn’t the first horse, but it was the first spotted horse painted on the Neolithic cave paintings. I think of it as the Wild horse of the plains. Although the Nez Pierce tribe saved them by breeding them.

It is said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. I think that its soul is its Wildness.

For prints – jamesjohnson@nvc.net