“Battle with the Crow” 8 x 10” Oil on Panel

The Sioux and Crow Indian tribes of the Northern Plains were long-time enemies.  Tales of battles fought and coups counted were the tried and true test of manhood, told generation to generation.  Depicted in this painting is the telling of such a tale, such as may have been shared inside a traditional dwelling, the tipi.

While living in West Chester, PA, I had my experiences with large flocks of crows.  I’d never seen the like in South Dakota!  A mass of the black birds landed in my yard, blocking out the sun as they came and went, but also totally covering the ground and squawking loudly.  It was eerie and quite scary: I was glad to see them migrate on…  This happened two separate falls.  So, now when I paint crows, that memory and the sound come back to me instantly.