The Smiling Hunter was created as a result of a visit to a lake in southwest Texas. My first impression of the place was quite bleak - seeing as the area was defined as a public hunting spot, I found, alongside the bushes and rocks and animal shells, a enormous amount of empty bullet shells. 
But as the sun began to set I became engaged in a conversation with a Texan couple in their 50's, who were there to hunt. Although we had different opinions on many subjects, I found a warm, caring couple, who inspired the creation of the Hunter - who is decorated with empty bullets and has a kind-hearted smile.