The Story Behind Why I Titled This Bison Drawing "INTO THE STORM"

[@secondwind75]

Couldn't have tagged that piece any more appropriately, Joel. They are magnificent creatures. Far too many years ago (that I care to admit) I took a course in college about the Native peoples of the Americas and learned many things- one being how the plains people valued the bison and how they used them for everything from meat, clothing, weapons, and even used the sinew for their bows. And as you mentioned, and as history showed, the white hunters/settlers showed and over-hunted the animal and didn't value them like the indigenous people. We are fortunate to have had those few people that came along to think to save them. They were almost gone. Appreciate the story, and as usual, the wonderful artwork. Keep 'em comin'! Troy

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Thank you!!

[@inherjyze1ify]

That turned out very nice. well done.

[@alenkabagirrra]

Wooow, shik work! I adore bisons😍

[@alexklette1138]

This new process you’re doing is wild! So cool!

[@andrewtheanimal]

i love this~! bisons are my fav! you're awesome!

[@simbacat222]

Wow! 🦬

[@barrysmith8186]

Freaking Awesome!

[@brucenunn3268]

Epic piece.!

[@jillcherrick3113]

Great story to go along with the awsome charcoal piece. Im originaly from Montana. lived in a town coinsidered the gate way to Yellowstone. 50 miles from the park. its full of buffalo. many ranchers started buffalo ranches. thats were that fancey resturant beefalo comes from( angus and buffalo mixed breeds) Those buffalo would stick their heads into the 8 foot + snow drifts and plow through those ruff winters. Did you know that they dwindled down to only 50 head but Teddy stepped in to preserve the herd. They were almost completely wiped out just for sport but mainly to wipe out the native populations. huge herds shot down. only thing taken from their bodies was their hides. all that meat went to waste on the plains. I lived by 3 different buffalo jumps. thats were the natives would round the herds up and force them over the ridged cliffs. not all would die from the fall. the young native women and many of the older children would be waiting for those that only fell and broke legs to kill them. the older natives would go around and take every part of the buffalo. there was nothing that went to waste. every part of the buffalo was used. never found any buffalo bones only broken flint knives and a few arrow heads. I can only imagin what it would have been like following a herd for winter supply for the village tribe only to take what was needed to sustain till the next hunt... only to come upon the grewsome killing ground of the entire hurd and smell of rotting meat. how devistating of a sight that would have been. Yet those Remaining 50 turned into thousands. Though nothing like the mighty rivers they were upon the plains😢❤ Jill C. Huachuca Arizona

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Wow, that's amazing! Thanks for sharing, Jill!

[@artbytiana]

Very good 😍

[@Bear-LeeOutdoors]

How long did it take you to draw this?

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Usually a few days for one this size.

[@JustinCase807]

Among the factors that you stated for the over hunting of the bison, one of which was the 'One less buffalo is one less Indian' program... they were trying to starve out the plains Natives. Very sad part of american history. They don't teach the important stuff in public schools.

[@JustinCase807]

Oh yea, also Bison are my favorite land animal as well :)