Ozark Mountain Warrior - Osage

Purchase Information

The original artwork for Ozark Mountain Warrior has been sold! It's now available as a fine art giclee.

More about Ozark Mountain Warrior - Osage

Though he has seen many battles, this warrior is unwavering in his readiness to fight again.

Imagine meeting this man in the field of war. Would you be able to fight him? His stony expression belies a ferocity, that when unleashed, will only end in victory for him and defeat for his foes.  

My first depiction of the Osage

This is my first Osage image. As you may know, I have to do months (and sometimes years) of research before I am comfortable that my depictions of tribes have accuracy. This piece is based off of an image by George Catlin, who spent time traveling the Louisiana Territory and painting the various Native American tribes who lived there and then fleshed out with details from museum holdings.

About the subject

The Osage made their home in current-day Missouri, Nebraska, and Kansas. The warrior wears a “roach” in his hair - a dramatic headpiece with the look of a bright red mohawk. This headdress style was also popular with the Pawnee, a neighboring Great Plains tribe with whom the Osage shared some cultural elements.

Given their location next to the fierce Pawnee, the Osage were also fearsome fighters and dominated the area in the 19th century.  I wanted the man in Ozark Mountain Warrior to convey that ferocity through the intensity of his gaze. I increase the effect of his stare by making it the only focal point in this painting. Your eye is drawn to the man’s face, even if in reality you would be unable to meet his eyes.