"A while back, I did a charcoal drawing along these same lines. I called it 'Symbols of a Time Passed,' yet for this painting, 'The Strength of Eagles' seemed more appropriate. The man's bonnet and lance are laden with eagle feathers. The eagle was symbolic and very important to the Plains Indians . . . to all Indians, really. It was very powerful medicine to the Plains people. It represented strength and power . . . it still does, hence the title. It reflects, perhaps, the character of the man and what eagles meant to him. There's sadness there but also strength of character, determination and a sense of survival as well."
