Bison Bull 

Julie Bell's painting "Bison Bull" is an incredible study in texture and scale, presenting the animal with a god-like presence. The artist employs a warm palette of browns and golds, layered meticulously to create a tangible sense of the bison's rugged coat and imposing mass. Bell masterfully uses light and shadow to sculpt the bison's form, enhancing the tactile quality of the fur, from the soft undercoat to the shaggy outer layers. The composition, tightly cropped, forces us into an immediate encounter with the animal's gaze, challenging traditional notions of portraiture by bestowing a mythical grandeur on the bull. Through the interplay of color and the rich depiction of texture, "Bison Bull" transcends mere representation, inviting us to contemplate the symbolic weight of this majestic creature. Bell encourages us to look beyond the surface and consider the cultural codes embedded in our perception of the natural world.