Colorado Rocky Mountain Elk
Pen & Ink on Antique Map

  
The Colorado Rocky Mountain Elk are also known as Wapiti. Wapiti is the Shawnee word for elk and means “White Rump.”
 
Long ago, the Plains Indians observed the bull elk as a courageous and magnificent figure. Men often showed their hunting prowess by making the Elk's eye teeth into jewelry for their special girls or by gifting the teeth to their wives to decorate their dresses so it was that the Elk became a symbol of love and passion. Elk also symbolized everlasting devotion and permanence, as elk ivory does not decay or deteriorate with time.
 
In Native American mythology, the elk is often associated with spiritual guidance and protection. It is believed that the elk spirit can offer wisdom and guidance to those who seek it, helping individuals find their path and make important decisions in life.
 
The elk, with its towering frame and magnificent antlers, emerges as a powerful emblem within the spirit animal realm. It is seen as a symbol of strength, endurance and nobility, embodying qualities that are highly admired by these communities. In Native American mythology, the elk is often associated with spiritual guidance and protection.
 
If you experience an elk sighting, it's a message to stay steady on your current course. An elk sighting is also a reminder to be diligent and see things through. If you do, you will earn the respect of others for standing your ground.
 
I have combined antique maps with my version of stippling into my own creative perspectives. The background for this drawing of a Rocky Mountain Elk is on an original large map of Colorado, published in 1887 in a Rand McNally Atlas. It measures 22 X 28 inches and is framed with patinaed copper to approximately 30 X 36.