This is the fourth painting of my series entitled “Magnificent Animals of the Superior National Forest”

Dedicated to my Mother who passed away June 17th 2011 at the age of 97. She had a very kind, yet a very fighting spirit, growing up during the great depression. In an unusual turn of events she had broken her foot and I had severely injured my right (painting) hand during the winter of 2010-11 when we received 86.3 inches of snow. She had already come back from 2 broken hips and a broken leg in previous years and now was in a transitional care facility bravely battling to walk just one more time. I had been receiving therapy for months during the winter with absolutely no progress. I could not paint. I could not even mix colors. While I visited mom with my useless right hand, she told me “If one of us is going to get better I hope it is you.” I can trace my improvement to that day. When I left the facility, which was very close to the Mississippi river, a Bald Eagle was circling high up in the sky. Through great determination her foot healed and she was back home at the assisted living near our home. My hand was much better and she enjoyed several more months before she passed away. I began to paint again for the first time in over a year and I completed the Eagle painting. At one time I truly did not know if I would paint again, but inspired by my Mothers brave fight I am not only painting but I quit my job of 10 years and once again I am a fulltime Artist, painting and selling my work at Art Shows around Minnesota and Wisconsin. The Eagle is symbolic of freedom and my Mother is finally free of this world’s shackles and pain. She is with her Lord Jesus and I am free to pursue Wildlife Art once again.