The Painted Rock
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"The Painted Rock"

The Painted Rock" by
Ray "Bubba" Sorensen
Thank you, Ray! God bless you
and God Bless America!
And specially our soldiers
and veterans!

Visit Ray's website
and see more of his work
http://www.bubbaznationalartwork.com

Ray "Bubba" Sorensen

CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS TO THE ROCK

There is a huge rock near a gravel pit on Hwy. 25 in rural Iowa. For generations kids have painted slogans, names, and obscenities on this rock, changing its character many times. A few months back, the rock received its latest paint job, and since then it has been left completely undisturbed. It's quite an impressive sight.

Every year, for the last five years, a talented artist, Ray (Bubba) Sorensen II, has done a Memorial Day tribute to our servicemen and servicewomen, both past and present, with a stirring tableau painted on a large granite boulder which came out the nearby Schillberg Rock Quarry.  It weighs 56 ton (50.8Mg) and is 12 ft (3.7m) high. It is located north of Greenfield, Iowa in Adair County, approx. 1.5 mile south of Interstate 80 on Highway 25 (exit 86) Exit 86 on I-80 is approx. 37 miles (59 km) west of Des Moines, Iowa. If you are anywhere close, you shouldn't miss the opportunity to see what is truly an American treasure.

Click either of the links below to listen to a special song written for this memorial entitled "Freedom Fighter" by Robert Andrew (words & music).  It is performed by Robert Andrew, Paul Faris, Bob Williams & Dan Hoagland.  Please visit Robert's website at http://www.cdbaby.com/randrew 

We take this opportunity to say a very sincere "Thank You' to Ray (Bubba) Sorensen II, for reminding us that "Freedom Is Not Free". The wonderful freedom we still enjoy in this country has cost the blood, sweat and tears of our veterans who paid the ultimate price. May God bless America!

 

"The Painted Rock"
1999 		"The Painted Rock"
2000
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2001 		"The Painted Rock"
2002
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2003 		"The Painted Rock"
2004

DIRECTIONS TO THE ROCK

"The Painted Rock"

It appears the American flag was draped over the rock, but it's not.
It's actually painted on the rock, too.
"The Painted Rock"

It is an inspiration to anyone who feels the surge of pride when the American Flag is raised, 
or the National Anthem plays for one of our Olympians on the medal stand. 
"The Painted Rock"

"I love my country and I do it out of respect for the veterans. 
It's my way of thanking those who have protected the freedoms I enjoy today. 
God bless the USA!" says Sorensen.
"The Painted Rock"

Sorensen, who is 24 years old and from Greenfield, Iowa, draws a sketch of his idea on paper and then 
draws the design by free hand onto the rock. This takes him anywhere from one to three weeks to paint. 
He says he is interested in military history and gets his ideas from books, movies, previous artwork 
and images by other artists. Bubba has been commissioned to paint a number of public 
murals including one at the birthplace of Henry A Wallace.
"The Painted Rock"

For years this boulder was known as "the graffiti rock" and was decorated for high school rivalries, love 
interests, etc. Since the Memorial Day paintings began, the "rock" has remained with the annual tribute intact, 
until the artist himself paints over it, in preparation for the next year's tribute. The rock has been "defaced" 
once since Bubba has started this project, causing a local stir. The vandal, got a punch in the face from a 
Vietnam War veteran for his trouble, and vandalism has never again been a problem.
"The Painted Rock"
"The Painted Rock"

We take this opportunity to say a very sincere "Thank You' to Ray (Bubba) Sorensen II, for reminding
us that "Freedom Is Not Free". The wonderful freedom we still enjoy in this country has cost the blood, 
sweat and tears of our veterans who paid the ultimate price. May God bless America!
"The Painted Rock"
"The Painted Rock"
"The Painted Rock"
"The Painted Rock"
"The Painted Rock"
"The Painted Rock"
"The Painted Rock"
 		"The Painted Rock"
"The Painted Rock"

DIRECTIONS TO THE ROCK

Ray says... "I paint the rock with different scenes every year for 
Memorial Day as a tribute to those who defend our freedom."

"It takes me anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks to paint the rock."

"I use latex house paint that I pay for myself along
with donations people have given me, as well as,
money I receive from the prints I sell."

"I'm not a veteran... just proud to be an American!"