What a surprise to see American Gothic picture. I live less than 2 miles from where he had his painting retreats. And if I look across the pasture in my back yard we can see where he painted the “Fall Plowing” picture. Some years back our surrounding community had to take up a cause to prevent a landfill to be placed in our area. We won. I made a couple quilts that were used to raise money to help to get that site on the national register.
hydro geologist. I see this painting, I always think the missus is irritated with her husband…and thinking.. hurry up with this pic so I can get back to quilting.
In my art classes we used to discuss her attitude…did she mind having a pitchfork so close to her face? because she was wearing her cameo, had she dressed up for the portrait? the apron brings it back down to “job description”- housekeeper….was she really a wife? or a spinster daughter to her widowed father? She might be perspiring… a tendril has escaped her hair bun from the back. I always wondered whether she had flowers planted around her porch. I can’t imagine he complimented her cooking…most likely in my imagination it was, “Thank you for supper.”
just like my farmer granddaddy as he got up from the table.
I had an opportunity to see this painting and others by Grant Wood in Worcester, Massachusetts. It was a memorable day at the Worcester Art Museum with my daughter!
Hi! I’m Lori Kennedy, machine quilter, & author from Minnesota. Check out my monthly newsletter & my articles. Machine quilting is my passion. From doodling to quilting, I’m here in my Minnesota studio to help you get quilting.
American Gothic
What a surprise to see American Gothic picture. I live less than 2 miles from where he had his painting retreats. And if I look across the pasture in my back yard we can see where he painted the “Fall Plowing” picture. Some years back our surrounding community had to take up a cause to prevent a landfill to be placed in our area. We won. I made a couple quilts that were used to raise money to help to get that site on the national register.
Thanks for posting the picture.
What a great effort, Rita! You and your community should be proud!
I agree! Great work!
Good for you! My husband’s master’s thesis dealt with leachate at a former landfill site in Texas. He went on in his career as a hydrogeologist.
Thanks for expanding my horizon, Lori! Enjoyed reading up on this one!
hydro geologist. I see this painting, I always think the missus is irritated with her husband…and thinking.. hurry up with this pic so I can get back to quilting.
Thank you for posting American Gothic. I appreciated all the history of it!
Love how you remind me as a Chgo suburbanite to get back to the Art InstItute already
For a moment I thought I was on facebook. I wanted to post Hearts on all the previous posts!!
In my art classes we used to discuss her attitude…did she mind having a pitchfork so close to her face? because she was wearing her cameo, had she dressed up for the portrait? the apron brings it back down to “job description”- housekeeper….was she really a wife? or a spinster daughter to her widowed father? She might be perspiring… a tendril has escaped her hair bun from the back. I always wondered whether she had flowers planted around her porch. I can’t imagine he complimented her cooking…most likely in my imagination it was, “Thank you for supper.”
just like my farmer granddaddy as he got up from the table.
I had an opportunity to see this painting and others by Grant Wood in Worcester, Massachusetts. It was a memorable day at the Worcester Art Museum with my daughter!