Artist Statement
I make art to satisfy the creative impulses that drive me. My expression is born from my life experiences growing up “on the farm”. Creating welded steel sculpture is a physical and mental challenge that requires me to use my head and hands equally. I am forced to use all the skill and expertise I have acquired from my years in the agricultural field. Each step from finding, transporting, and dismantling of raw materials thru design, assembly and finish, resulting in marketing a unique piece of art, draws from my abilities in a wholly different way. My creativity has been nurtured by my years of landscaping. My technique is formed by necessity, an offshoot of “making it work” out in the field. My dedication to art is a result of my work ethic. Farm kids like me are a disappearing breed. Factory farms are taking the place of family farms. It’s not the farmer’s fault. Most saw how hard their ancestors worked and said “no thanks”. Consolidation took hold of agriculture as it did most other industries. Dad’s workshop and high school shop classes are unavailable to most youth now. Kids grow up without the knowledge of setting the depth of a saw cut, or the thrill of the “poof” when firing up a blow torch. They don’t know the difference between a Herford and a Hampshire. Most citizens are several generations removed from their farming ancestors, and really have little idea of how much it takes to “farm”. They want cheap food but that demand has led to “factory farming”. Despite the fact that fewer farmers mean larger industrial farms, most people don’t want their pot roast to come from a production line cow. I hope my art creates an awareness that encourages people to consider our nation’s farm economy and its associated life with an eye towards reinventing it. Americans must invest in the future of Agriculture if we want more naturally raised food. It is necessary to revise the way we reward the stewards of our land. Apathy will result in food production from companies with CEO’s like those who sell us our energy or health insurance. Change demands that we revolutionize the way we interact with our food producers, much like the way I transform into art the machinery of farming past. Resources already exist to build rural community based agricultural industries with the potential to trade products and services with its associated metropolitan areas. Communities should recognize and showcase their agricultural strengths unique to their environment. Combining the efforts of local workforces and patrons, the development of personal relationships often ignored will generate educational experiences connecting people to the land that produces their food. My new “agri-business” is located at my home…eighteen lake front acres where people can roam the sculpture gardens, learn about plants, and participate in growing and enjoying the fruits of labor. My goal is to offer an environment of art and education that supports the idea of local agriculture and brings attention to the disappearing farm. This venture is intended as a model for the return to an intelligent, efficient, environmentally friendly, rural community based enterprise; with lots of cool art!