Wings of Liberty

Created in Honor of America’s 250th Anniversary (1776–2026)

Original Hand-Burned Pyrography on Kiln-Dried Pine

Before there was a nation, there was a dream.

A dream that ordinary men and women could build a better future for themselves and for generations yet to come

Farmers left their fields. Blacksmiths set down their hammers. Merchants, mothers, laborers, and soldiers accepted uncertainty, believing that liberty was worth more than the comfort of the lives they knew.

On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence gave words to that dream. But words alone could not secure freedom. The years that followed demanded sacrifice, perseverance, and extraordinary courage from countless Americans who believed future generations deserved something greater than themselves.

America was not built in a single day. It was built by calloused hands that raised barns, forged steel, tilled fields, built towns, started businesses, and created communities through grit, determination, and hope. It was defended by those who answered the call when freedom was threatened, often knowing they might never return home.

Throughout our nation’s history, sons and daughters have kissed their families goodbye, carrying dreams of their own that would never be fulfilled. They gave their tomorrows so that generations they would never meet could have theirs. They surrendered birthdays, weddings, quiet evenings at home, and in far too many cases, their very lives. Their sacrifice is woven into every freedom we enjoy today.

Because of them, I have the privilege to pursue a dream that once would have seemed impossible….to spend my days creating art, telling stories through fire and wood, and sharing my passion with others. This piece exists because someone else paid a price I never had to pay. That truth is never lost on me.

The bald eagle has long stood as a symbol of strength, courage, and freedom. Behind its wings, the American flag reminds us that liberty is not simply inherited..it is entrusted to us. It has been preserved through the dedication, resilience, and sacrifice of generations who believed our future was worth protecting.

This piece was hand-burned into a single live-edge slab of kiln-dried pine to commemorate America’s 250th Anniversary. Every burn mark was created by hand, without lasers, CNC machines, or automation, as a tribute to the people whose hard work, sacrifice, and unwavering hope built the nation we call home.

As you stand before this piece, I hope it serves as more than a depiction of an eagle and a flag. I hope it reminds you that behind every freedom is a story. Behind every opportunity is a sacrifice. Behind every dream (including my own) stands someone who gave up theirs so that ours could live on.

To those who built this nation.
To those who defended it.
To those who never came home.

Thank you.

1776–2026

“May we always be worthy of the freedom entrusted to us.”

Artwork Details

Title: Wings of Liberty

Artist: Sara Hankes | Blue Horse Fine Art

Medium: Original hand-burned pyrography on a single live-edge slab of kiln-dried pine.

Dimensions:
104” × 24” (approximately 8.66 ft × 2 ft at the widest points).

Finish:
Finished with a durable UV-resistant polycrylic protective coating to help preserve the natural beauty of the wood and protect the artwork for years to come. Alternate finishes are available upon request prior to completion.

Installation:
Includes a professionally installed heavy-duty French cleat hanging system, providing secure wall mounting while creating the appearance that the artwork floats elegantly against the wall- unless specified otherwise by the person purchasing this piece. 

Certificate of Authenticity:
A signed Certificate of Authenticity is included, verifying this artwork as an original, one-of-a-kind hand-burned creation by the artist.

Display Options:
Designed as a dramatic statement piece for homes, lodges, cabins, ranches, offices, or commercial spaces. At the collector’s request, this artwork can also be professionally adapted into a custom table, transforming it into a functional heirloom while preserving the integrity of the artwork.

Original Artwork

• Hand-burned entirely by the artist
• No lasers, CNC machines, or engraving equipment used
• One-of-a-kind original
• Created in celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary (1776–2026)