Iowa Native Ray "Bubba" Sorensen the II began drawing as a youngster and later painted his mural on a large 12-foot tall 60-90-ton boulder that has made his artwork known throughout the world ... The Freedom Rock.

Bubba was born in Creston, Iowa and raised in Fontanalle, Iowa. He grew up showing cattle in 4H and loves playing and watching sports, especially the 49ers. After graduating high school, he attended Des Moines Area Community College then transferred to Iowa State University, majoring in art and design.

As a 19 year old at Iowa State University, Bubba was inspired by the movie "Saving Private Ryan" and painted a sincere thank you to veterans on that large rock. The work was so appreciated that veterans encouraged him to paint the rock every year for Memorial Day.

He has repainted the rock each year since 1999, creating a different tribute to our nation's veterans each time. The Freedom Rock takes him anywhere from two to four weeks to complete depending on the weather. He is not commissioned to paint the rock he does so with his own money and time.

Bubba and his wife Maria live in Greenfield, Iowa, and own a mural painting and business. He currently is continuing to work at completing a Freedom Rock in every county in Iowa.