Armed with only a lance and carrying no provisions or gear, this Plains warrior is not prepared for a long distance trek but is ranging out on patrol from either his village or encampment to reconnoiter the surrounding area. Does he seek the buffalo, an ancestral enemy or sign of further encroachment of the white man from the east?

"I paint these people to raise awareness about their bravery and their troubles," says Z.S. Liang. He points out that his rural Chinese upbringing was centered on ancient and traditional lifestyles which made it easier for him to relate to the Native Americans. For example, no resources were wasted in his home, much like the Plains Indians who used every part of the buffalo their lives depended on. A long time U.S. resident, Liang has made himself into a student of Native American life, both in his personal library and his time in the field with tribes of today. His devotion to historical details and to the constant improvement of his skills, led him to horseback riding lessons so he could more accurately understand the movement and musculature of the animal that played such an important role in the life of the Plains Indian.