The horse is an important part of Plains Indian culture. This piece is of three horses painted with lighting on their legs and a circle above the eye. The lightning design painted on the horse’s leg is believed to make the horse run faster. The painted circle above the horse’s eye is believed to make the horse see farther.

John Isaiah Pepion is an acclaimed artist, muralist and educator who hails from the Blackfeet Nation in northern Montana. His plains graphic art combines traditional design and contemporary illustrations to create a signature look that is instantly recognized throughout the country.

John considers his art journey as ceremony because his understanding of his past, family, and culture grows with each piece he creates. “Through my art,” he says, “I find personal healing, cultural preservation and a deeper connection to place.”