Farms captivate me. They are hives of activity and for most of us, they are the centers of food production that sustain us and keep us fed.
I paint farms because they are beautiful and draw me back to a time when the rhythms of the seasons, the movement of the sun across the sky, and the cycle life kept us on track. I paint the open, undulating land that is punctuated by trees, barns and other outbuildings, fences and rock walls. In these spaces I find a comforting peace that gently quiets my racing thoughts and refreshes my soul. These openings are also metaphorical spaces where everyone is accepted, supported, and celebrated for living as their authentic selves.
Despite the beauty of these working lands, there is a darker side to farms. Across the country, most farms pump toxic pesticides onto crops and into the land to keep food free from bugs, disease, and looking picture perfect. This is the food we eat. Unknowingly, we are ingesting traces of these pesticides, which over time, build up in our bodies inflicting harm--known and unknown.
I am grateful for the hardworking folks at farms and organizations around Maryland and across the country who strive to provide healthy and sustainable alternatives so we can all make smart choices about what we eat.