Tom Russell (American, b. 1950). "Old White Buffalo" acrylic on canvas, 2012 AND "Running Hen" acrylic on canvas, 2012. Both are initialed "TR" on lower right and both have the artist's signature, title, and date inscribed on the verso. A fabulous pair of animal paintings by world-renowned artist and singer-songwriter Tom Russell. "Old White Buffalo" presents a sacred and very rare white bison standing in profile before a periwinkle blue hilly landscape and beneath a starry night sky. "Running Hen" features a lively red hen with her plumage highlighted in hues of gold, orange, pink, and white. Russell's signature style - a boldly colorful, expressive, and Fauvist-inspired approach - befits the spirited nature of these animals. Size (White Buffalo): 9.875" L x 9.875" W (25.1 cm x 25.1 cm) Size (frame): 10.9" L x 10.625" W (27.7 cm x 27 cm)

According to the National Bison Association, only 1 out of every 10 million bison births results in a white bison. Chief Arvol Looking Horse, a Lakota spiritual leader and keeper of the sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe, has shared the following legend of White Buffalo Calf Woman who would return in the form of a white bison, "Nineteen generations ago the beautiful spirit we now refer to as White Buffalo Calf Woman brought the Sacred C'anupa (Sacred Pipe) to our People. She taught the People the Seven Sacred Rites and how to walk on Mother Earth in a sacred manner. Pte-san win-yan. As she left, she turned into a young beautiful white buffalo and then she walked over the hill and out of sight. This is where she received her name, White Buffalo Calf Woman. She gifted us with the Seven Sacred Rites that still sustain our People today. The person who smokes the sacred pipe achieves union with all Beings. By smoking this C'anupa, you will make direct personal contact with the Great Mystery. . . Following the Way of this Sacred C'anupa, you will walk in a sacred way upon the earth, for the Earth is your grandmother and your mother and she is sacred. . ."

In addition to creating mesmerizing paintings, Tom Russell is a singer-songwriter who has written songs recorded by Johnny Cash, KD Lang, Iris Dement, Nancy Griffith, Ramblin Jack Elliott, and more.

Provenance: ex-private Bishop Family Trust collection, the Trust of the late Bill Bishop, a noted antiquarian with shops in Scottsdale, Arizona and Allenspark, Colorado, USA, acquired before 2010

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#175812

Both paintings are in excellent condition. Both are initialed "TR" on the lower right and both have the artist's signature, title, and date inscribed on the versos. Both are mounted in attractive black frames. Frames have minor scuffs/nicks but are otherwise very nice. Both are fit with a suspension wire.