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

In this installment of ‘History Off the Beaten Path,’ we take a look at one man’s American spirit expressed artistically in towns all over the United States.

Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II sits next to the paint he uses to paint rocks. Sorenson Studios

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.”