
the visual idea is a fantastical archaic buffalo, a new mythological buffalo creature with scales and feathers.
it's helpful to see my sketch on the screen because it objectively shows me where there are problems. when i revisit this sketch i will skew the scales in a way that suggests the form of his body, move the right eye down a bit because his head is slightly tilted, and even out the horn size. everything else is going to evolve naturally.
in a (probably superficial) sense it's coincidentally appropriate that i'm beginning to reread Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee. maybe vicariously some vein of depth of connection with this land i cannot wholly rightfully claim, yet still feel, will grace this creation process.