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….