"Spirit Mound-A Most Butifull Landscape" was created for a special 250th edition of South Dakota Magazine. They invited 12 South Dakota artists to create paintings of a variety of historically significant places in South Dakota as they might have looked 250 years ago. I was so honored to be chosen as 1 of the 12!! It was a joy and privilege to research, explore and celebrate the significance of this wonderful state park through my painting.
This original painting has sold, but prints on canvas and paper are still available, as well as a private commission to create another original similar to this painting is always available-please reach out! This original painting is still being shown until August 25th in a juried, multiple-artist show, "Still Becoming, America at 250" at the Center for Western Studies Galleries on Augustana University Campus. They are open Monday-Friday from 8AM-5PM. Fantle Building: 2121 S Summit Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57197. (605) 274-4007
Interesting facts and my perspective on Spirit Mound:
Spirit Mound Historic Prairie is a beautiful example of increasing efforts in our state to restore historically significant spaces to their natural state. A unique location worthy of preservation, the steep rise was cut and left behind by glaciers and is one of the few places that visitors can stand, with certainty, in the exact location where Lewis and Clark did.
As an artist, I take particular delight in painting colorful, natural prairie landscapes filled with wildflowers and grasses. I enjoy augmenting what is actually there within my paintings to create what will be--to speed up the restoration process that can take decades to bring back some of the “most beautiful landscape” that the explorers enjoyed 222 years ago. Spirit Mound has been thoughtfully redeemed for generations of new explorers to discover, and I am honored to attempt to recreate a celebration painting of what was and what is well on its way to being again.
When the famous expedition first ventured to this space, it was from deep curiosity about the native people’s legends of diminutive devils (spirits) that protected the area and killed any trespassers with sharp arrows. While they found no such small evil creatures, they did find an abundance of wildflowers and grasses, as well as copious insects driven to seek shelter behind the unusual peek from the incessant prairie wind. These insects drew numerous birds and animals to the area for sustenance and shelter as well.
At the top of the peak, instead of mean little devils, they found an expansive view of a “most beautiful landscape.” Filled with lush, colorful plant life, birds and animals of all kinds and grazing buffalo in the distance. They realized as well that the view from the peak would give the viewer the advantage of seeing around four times the distance one could see from the prairie floor. This is likely why the legend was created—as a “No Trespassing” attempt to protect this valuable land asset for hunting or military advantage. Now, today we protect it for historical and ecological value. Painting Spirit Mound has enriched my appreciation for a simple place that has far deeper history and meaning that I ever imagined. I cannot wait to go back and explore it again with new eyes to see!
"Spirit Mound-A Most Butifull Landscape" was created for a special 250th edition of South Dakota Magazine. They invited 12 South Dakota artists to create paintings of a variety of historically significant places in South Dakota as they might have looked 250 years ago. I was so honored to be chosen as 1 of the 12!! It was a joy and privilege to research, explore and celebrate the significance of this wonderful state park through my painting.
This original painting has sold, but prints on canvas and paper are still available, as well as a private commission to create another original similar to this painting is always available-please reach out! This original painting is still being shown until August 25th in a juried, multiple-artist show, "Still Becoming, America at 250" at the Center for Western Studies Galleries on Augustana University Campus. They are open Monday-Friday from 8AM-5PM. Fantle Building: 2121 S Summit Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57197. (605) 274-4007
Interesting facts and my perspective on Spirit Mound:
Spirit Mound Historic Prairie is a beautiful example of increasing efforts in our state to
restore historically significant spaces to their natural state. A unique location worthy of
preservation, the steep rise was cut and left behind by glaciers and is one of the few
places that visitors can stand, with certainty, in the exact location where Lewis and Clark
did.
As an artist, I take particular delight in painting colorful, natural prairie landscapes filled
with wildflowers and grasses. I enjoy augmenting what is actually there within my
paintings to create what will be--to speed up the restoration process that can take
decades to bring back some of the “most beautiful landscape” that the explorers
enjoyed 222 years ago. Spirit Mound has been thoughtfully redeemed for generations of
new explorers to discover, and I am honored to attempt to recreate a celebration
painting of what was and what is well on its way to being again.
When the famous expedition first ventured to this space, it was from deep curiosity
about the native people’s legends of diminutive devils (spirits) that protected the area
and killed any trespassers with sharp arrows. While they found no such small evil
creatures, they did find an abundance of wildflowers and grasses, as well as copious
insects driven to seek shelter behind the unusual peek from the incessant prairie wind.
These insects drew numerous birds and animals to the area for sustenance and shelter
as well.
At the top of the peak, instead of mean little devils, they found an expansive view of a
“most beautiful landscape.” Filled with lush, colorful plant life, birds and animals of all
kinds and grazing buffalo in the distance. They realized as well that the view from the
peak would give the viewer the advantage of seeing around four times the distance one
could see from the prairie floor. This is likely why the legend was created—as a “No
Trespassing” attempt to protect this valuable land asset for hunting or military
advantage. Now, today we protect it for historical and ecological value. Painting Spirit
Mound has enriched my appreciation for a simple place that has far deeper history and
meaning that I ever imagined. I cannot wait to go back and explore it again with new
eyes to see!