The land inspires much of what I paint through what it provides and the simplicity of living off the land. Growing-up in Iowa I spent a great deal of time on a farm with pigs, horses, crops and lots of things to get into for a kid (Not all of which were parental approved.) However, having four confidants in crime (brothers and sisters) we were able to find all kinds of adventures to pursue. We played in the mud, created pottery out of it and were lucky enough to have my Mom bake our creations in the oven. She even used on one of her prized cookie sheets. I do believe the turtle creations hung around for more than 10 years!
“Simplicity is the Ultimate Sophistication”.
Leonardo da Vinci
Our farm house sat beautifully in the middle of acres and acres of cornfields. This was no ordinary old two story farmhouse, it’s claim to fame was a that it was a hide-out for the infamous Jesse James from time to time. That’s right the outlaw!
Back to the cornfields and dirt: If you were to wander through one of the cornfields you’d find a creek which was always calling our names. After all what kid wouldn’t like to play in the water and mud of a creek?? This was after all considered an acceptable place to play by our parents…on the other hand we did manage to find a form of playing in the mud that wasn’t as welcome to our Mother.
Here is where some of that “Creativity” comes in. One fine Summer day we discovered a very large tractor tire track in a field that was filled with the PERFECT amount of water to make it delightfully slippery. Our experimentation began with running and sliding while standing up. Our vertical sliding method “accidentally” morphed into sliding on our stomachs which proved to be absolutely OUTSTANDING! This event of “opportunity” happened probably 45 years ago and I remember it like it was yesterday. By the time my mother was made aware of our latest adventure we were covered in mud from head to toe. Even to this day it is puzzling to me as to why this was such a problem…give me a minute as I get up off the floor from laughing so hard!
I have always felt growing up on a farm was a real treat and a great way to learn to appreciate the hard work, determination and grit that it takes to live off the land. Oh yea and there is plenty of mud!
Simplicity is the final achievement…it is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of art.
Frederic Chopin
Much of my creative inspiration comes from those years on the farm and a life lived quietly and simply in the country, even as a child. Children are always learning and discovering things that will carry them through their lives whether directly or indirectly. So when you see weathered fence posts, a creek or a ditch of wildflowers appear in my work they come from the simplicity of daily life and travels in the States and abroad.
So if you are looking for inspiration I highly suggest mud!
After all what’s simpler than mud?
