Turquoise River Bison Skull
This is the first skull created using a new technique that incorporates semi-precious stones and seed beads laid in a lateral orientation—on their side rather than in the traditional hole-up placement. I have envisioned a design like this for years, and I’m deeply pleased to have finally brought it to life. I love the result.
The primary stones used are malachite, picture jasper, and turquoise, complemented by copper and glass seed beads. Each material was carefully chosen for both its beauty and its meaning.
Malachite is known as the stone of transformation, symbolizing deep change, protection, and renewal.
Picture jasper represents a profound connection to the earth, offering grounding, inner vision, and an invitation to see the bigger picture and one’s place within it.
Turquoise symbolizes protection, wisdom, and connection—bridging the earthly and the divine, the sky and the water—while fostering inner peace.
Copper, long associated with love, beauty, and passion, weaves these elements together.
United on this skull, these materials feel both powerful and reverent, honoring the life of a truly special bison.
She was one of the original embryo surrogates that helped establish the Laramie Foothills Conservation Herd. Her offspring have gone on to produce multiple animals that now roam the open spaces north of Fort Collins and other native lands across the country. As a foundational member of the herd, her contribution was a lasting investment in its future.
Her horns are blunted, a necessary measure due to her assertive use of them in establishing dominance within the herd. This strength and confidence were integral parts of who she was. My hope is that the way I have adorned her skull honors her free, powerful, and assertive spirit.
The Impact: A portion of the sale of this piece of art will go directly to support the Laramie Foothills Bison Conservation Herd. Other skulls in this collection are the Phoenix Bison and the Wind River Bison.
The Inspiration: Did you know there is a very special bison herd on the Soapstone Prairie north of Fort Collins? This particular bison was a member Laramie Foothills Bison Conservation Herd created by the Colorado State University faculty member Dr. Jennifer Barfield and her team. Jennifer is a reproductive physiologist and has pioneered a method to create bison embryos from pure Yellowstone genetics, the closest genetic relations to the original herd of millions that once roamed the United States. Additionally, she has developed a process to “wash” the embryos rendering them free of brucellosis, an infectious agent that can be passed from bison to cattle causing them to spontaneously abort their calves. Brucellosis is this reason that bison who leave the protection of Yellowstone National Park are slaughtered in an effort to reduce the spread of this disease to cattle. This particular bison was one of the early bulls created through her work and was able to pass his genetics onto his offspring.