On the fourth of July, 2024, we watched the parade with our son and his family in Lander, Wyoming. The parade was coming to a halt. Participating in the parade was a Native American motorcycle group that pulled up and stopped right in front of us. I knew as soon as I saw this guy that I wanted to paint him. It seemed his entire look, from his own attire to the accoutrements on his ride, were intentional. My immediate impression was that he embodied a contemporary iconic image of his ancestors, with feathers and adornments, both on their persons and their horses.

Upon closer look at my photos once back in the studio, I noticed that all the riders had a logo on both their bikes and their jackets, “Redrum – Warriors for the People”. I googled it and found them to be part of a national Native motorcycle club. It turned out there was a documentary on the club which I watched. One of the leaders spoke into the camera saying that for them, being a warrior meant they were servants for the people – their mission was to serve. That really resonated with me. The warrior spirit, as they saw it and as do I, is to give oneself for the sake of those entrusted to us. Exodus 15:3 states, “Our God is a warrior, the Lord is His name”. The man who correctly understands and lives out the warrior spirit is an image bearer of the Most-High God. 

I realize I have stepped way out of my “wildlife” lane in painting this. But sometimes you just have to run with it.