In Good Company | Bison Watercolor Print

There's something about the bison that feels distinctly American — that hulking, unbothered silhouette against open grassland, a survivor of near-extinction that's somehow still the most majestic thing on the plains. I wanted to paint that presence, but not alone.

In Good Company celebrates one of nature's quiet partnerships. Black-billed magpies are frequent companions of American bison, feeding on insects stirred up by their movement and helping remove parasites from the animals themselves. It's a relationship built not on dominance, but on mutual benefit—a reminder that even the strongest among us are shaped by the connections we share.

Painted in watercolor, In Good Company invites viewers to pause and notice the small details that make healthy ecosystems possible. The magpies may be easy to overlook, but they transform the painting from a portrait into a story of coexistence, resilience, and the intricate relationships that allow wildlife to thrive.

Whether displayed as a statement piece or alongside other works celebrating the natural world, In Good Company is a reminder that strength is rarely solitary. Sometimes the greatest power is found in the company we keep.

As with all Brett Blumenthal Art, a minimum of 10% of profits supports wildlife and environmental conservation through organizations working to protect species and restore habitats around the world.

Conservation Notes:

American bison were once the most numerous large mammal in North America — an estimated 30 to 60 million once roamed the continent, reduced to fewer than 600 by 1889. Today the species is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN. Commercial herds have rebounded into the hundreds of thousands, but only around 31,000 bison live in wild, free-ranging conservation herds — a fraction of their historic range. The primary threat now isn't hunting; it's the steady loss of native grassland habitat.

That habitat is what makes relationships like the one in this painting possible. Take away the grassland, and you don't just lose the bison — you lose the parasites the magpies depend on for food, and the birds that depend on the bison for a meal. Ecosystems aren't a collection of individual species so much as a web of exchanges like this one, and it only takes losing one piece to unravel the rest.

1% of every sale from Brett Blumenthal Art goes to independently audited conservation work, as a certified 1% for the Planet member.

Sources: IUCN Red List, American Prairie Reserve, InterTribal Buffalo Council.Reference photography credit: Jami Bollschweiler

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is this an original painting or a print?

This is a museum-quality reproduction print of Brett Blumenthal's original Bison  watercolor, "In Good Company." If interested in the original, inquire here.

What's the difference between paper print and canvas?

Paper prints are printed on archival, acid-free 100% cotton rag paper — ideal for framing. Stretched canvas is printed on fade-resistant canvas and arrives ready to hang, no frame required.

Does the frame come with a mat?

Framed paper prints are available with or without a mat, depending on size. Framed canvases do not use mats.

How long does shipping take?

Production takes 3–5 business days, then ships free via USPS within the US. You'll receive tracking by email once it ships.

Does my purchase support conservation?

Yes. Brett Blumenthal Art is a certified 1% for the Planet member, and a portion of every sale supports independently audited conservation work.