This thesis is the written component of the art exhibit Beasts Of Earth And Spirit, which took place from November 18 to December 8, 2013 at the Design on Main Gallery in Ames, Iowa.

This body of work is based on the spiritual importance of animals in human culture, both past and present, through the exploration of animals with which I have strong spiritual and symbolic connections. Through research of the use of animal imagery by human culture throughout time and known past and present symbolic associations of animals in world cultures, this works seeks to draw comparisons between known spiritual associations in these cultures and the spiritual connections that the artist identifies with the same animals. The work is an exploration of animals as metaphor, symbol, and spiritual being, utilizing a wide variety of artistic media.

This writing documents the intentions of the artist in creating the work comprising the exhibit. A documentation of the artwork that was exhibited follows the bibliography.