Rock Solid Patriotism: This Artist Doesn’t Take America for Granite

Artist Ray “Bubba” Sorensen uniquely honors American history, the military, and veterans. Instead of painting on cotton-duck or linen canvases, however, the Iowa native, state representative, and self-taught artist chooses boulders in spots all over the United States and paints on them patriotic scenes.

With an innate ability to draw and paint since childhood, coupled with a passion for American history, Sorensen decided to paint his first large rock in 1999 where he lives. In Adair County, Iowa, Sorensen painted a mural depicting the famous Iwo Jima flag-raising scene and the words, “Thank you veterans for our freedom.”

Painting the rock was his way to show his appreciation for active military and retired veterans—including his uncle, who served multiple tours in Vietnam. What became known locally as Freedom Rock received so much attention that Sorensen repainted the rock with a different scene and message every Memorial Day for several years. He also painted a boulder in all of his home state’s 99 counties.

Taking Things on the Road

So many people told Sorensen how much the rock paintings meant to them that he founded Sorensen Studios with his wife, Maria, and began a Freedom Rock Tour. His goal is to paint colorful, meaningful scenes on large rocks in all 50 states.

Determining where to paint a rock depends on a community’s interest. Typically, an individual, town leader, or group will reach out to Sorensen with a request to paint a rock in their area.

“I don’t seek out locations as much as I respond to communities that truly want to honor their veterans and preserve those stories publicly,” Sorensen shared with American Essence. “The community also has to commit to caring for the rock long-term.”

Before beginning his artistic process, Sorensen spends time familiarizing himself with each community to achieve accuracy. He delves into research and speaks with local veterans, families, historians, and civic leaders. Even though common themes of honor, remembrance, and patriotism are expressed through his paintings, he makes sure that each rock is distinct.

Besides military flags, the American flag, and other patriotic imagery, the rock paintings often feature people: Some are still living and some have passed.

“The design grows out of local stories, units, conflicts, and individuals that matter most to that community,” he said. “The goal isn’t to put the entirety of [military] service into each mural, but rather make them unique to the area. It’s really about the people and stories, not the stone.”

Often, Sorensen’s rocks elicit emotions. One moment that was especially poignant was when a Gold Star parent approached one of his rocks, touched the name of their child painted on it, and said: ‘Now people will remember him.”

He has been told by veterans and veterans’ families that they feel respected and honored but also that the rocks give them “a place to grieve and to heal.”

Even though Sorensen began painting rocks in 1999, this year marks an especially important reason he hopes that people who seek out or happen to encounter his artwork in their travels will “pause” and ponder the meaning of the imagery.

“The country’s 250th anniversary is a powerful reminder that our freedoms were hard-fought and must never be taken for granted,” he said. Sorensen’s desire is that this sesquicentennial won’t just be about parties, parades, and celebrations but will also prompt people to remember and express gratitude for all that the military is doing and that veterans have done.

Sorensen hopes that his public art all over the United States provides viewers “with a deeper sense of gratitude and responsibility as Americans.”

So far, Sorensen has completed rocks in 11 states and is currently working on projects in three more. To learn where each is located, visit his website.

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