Master of His Land

by James Ayers

Edition Size: 95

Crow Brave

More About Master Of His Land
Master of His Land features a Crow horseman on top of the hill, with the vast expanse of the Plains behind him. This piece creates drama through its composition: The rider's head forms the top of a triangle, with lines coming up from the horse and the spear. He and his horse stand atop a hill, surveying surrounding land. The background is of distant Plains, grass yellowed because of Summer, showing the rider at the top of a hill.
The rider has a masterful command of his domain, reflected through his facial expression. He has responsibility to and stewardship of the land on which he lives.
I wanted the rider's clothing to reflect a typical day in a Crow rider, so he is not in full regalia. Rather, he is in simple leather leggings with beaded moccasins and carries a spear for protection. His clothing further serves the composition of the work--the "simpler" clothing draws more emphasis to the rider and his face. The horse has a circle over its eye, meant to endow the horse with good eyesight.