Mike Larsen says that the first 10 minutes of a painting are the most important, the crucial opening phase in which he decides on the lines that will make up the composition. Larsen's paintings and sculptures can be found throughout Chickasaw Country and Oklahoma, residing in such spaces as the Oklahoma State Capitol and the Chickasaw Cultural Center. For the Chickasaw Retreat & Conference Center, Larsen crafted "Victorious," a bronze statue of a Native man riding a horse. The rider is situated so that he looks toward the entrance, which from his position is due north. His stance is not aggressive, but he greets visitors with an attitude of power representing the power of the Chickasaw people. Larsen encourages people to inspect the artwork up close. He says that his favorite sculptures reveal the tool marks and traces of how the artist has left his or her imprint on the material. To learn more about Mike Larsen's art, visit www.LarsenStudio.com.