Have You Ever Painted An 8ft Buffalo Only To Have It Paint Balled By A Gang of Bikers?

... I have.

Mr. Buffalo

This masterpiece was one of the last creative projects I did before I left my job at Harley-Davidson. That job was one truly sweet gig, not only because I got to create crazy off the wall stuff like THIS ^ all day but because I worked with the most awesome group of individuals to ever ride on two wheels (or 4 to you Hi-Mountain punks I also worked with!) Having just finished my last semester of college as a Studio Art Major (not to mention the most labor intensive semester) and working full-time as in-house graphic design/marketing and event coordinator... I was burned out creatively. Me and my passion for art were making some serious waves. It felt like the equivalent of water and oil, I couldn't touch it and it wouldn't come near me. Sad day in Kailee land... but before that, Mr. Buffalo was that one last burst of creative juice before my sad departure from the BTHD.

That is one sweet hiney!

The whole point behind this was during the 2009 State Bike Rally, which our dealership graciously hosted, we were to have fun daily events for the bikers. This one was meant to be pulled off while on their hog. Mr. Buffalo was meant to act as a sacrifice to the ever popular "paint-balling while on a motorcycle." Never heard of it? Really? Me either.


I painted this on an 8ft piece of MDF in acrylics. It was done in the conference room on top of some file boxes while I too sat on a box... an artist can work in the most extreme of conditions... I probably painted this thing in a week, if that. Which if you really understand just how slow I work, that's saying something.

Most choice Buff hair

Now, when I was in high school I was ALL about realism. It was like, the coolest thing ever. Why take a photo when I can paint that photo? Everyone wants a mad skill like that. I know I did. I did a few things that I thought were pretty bomb, and I stayed true to that aesthetic up until about half-way through my freshman year of college before I realized just how boring it actually was. I discovered three things: 

1.) No one on that level cares if you can copy something exact.

2.) If you can't copy it exactly and they know that's what you're going for, prepare to sit through a grueling critique and some ridicule from some fellow students.

3.) realism just can't quite compete with a truly whacked out imagination.

Wacky is just so much more interesting to look at. So, I had to start from creative square one and prepare myself for that long and arduous journey of trying to discover who I wanted to be as an artist. I think I may have my sights set on the right target, so let's hope upon further inspection that I don't find myself looking down at a cardboard antelope when I was shooting for a 1200 lb. buffalo...

Animals can be a tricky demon to paint. They're covered in hair, have awkward body parts, and when executed poorly - show every flaw. And not to toot my own horn but when I attempt one I usually come out victorious. I never show my failed attempts, but considering I don't draw many animals that number is incredibly small. I do think this Buff is pretty sweet looking though. Not too shabby for my first. Besides, its probably the size of a real buffalo! Okay, so its probably the size of a baby buffalo... big deal. My point is its comparable in size to a real life and dangerous wildebeest! I totally dig it. I hope you do too.
Cheerio!