“When tillage begins, other arts follow.
The farmers, therefore, are the founders of human civilization.”
– Daniel Webster, American lawyer and statesman
There are so many experiences we go through in life that we pull from subconsciously: the good, the bad, and even the tragic. These become a foundation of what we draw from and share with the world. The magic part of this is we can share these experiences through our creative pursuits.
Early in Jim Klein’s painting career he decided to take on a massive project: two canvases each measuring 96 inches tall and 76 inches wide. It was an ambitious project. Jim tackled the duel giant canvases by painting simultaneously and treating them as one.
The finished piece is Corn: a large-scale painting measuring a whopping 144 inches -12 feet- across its two canvases. An exploration of the artist’s agricultural background, the sweeping brush strokes bring to mind the expansiveness of the cornfields, the restless movement of stalks in the wind. Corn is a testament to the artist’s deep understanding and connection to the land, and how his background showcases itself through Jim’s art.
Would you like to share how long Corn took you to complete?
Jim: A lifetime of experience in the agriculture world.
As someone with generations of family rooted in agriculture, how did you marry this background with painting and other creative pursuits?
Jim: They are not mutually exclusive. Agriculture is in my DNA. The majority of my and my family’s lives have been centered around agriculture so I will always be drawn to that. Corn was my first attempt to paint on a large canvas and the art came together seamlessly. It was fitting that such a large project was so successful and agriculture happened to be the subject.
The reactions to Corn by other folks have been interesting to see, especially those that also have backgrounds in agriculture. The painting is not abstract for them; they always see the corn.
Where is Corn now?
Jim: The painting was purchased by BRANDT, an agricultural corporation headquartered in Illinois and is hanging in their offices which is probably the most fitting place for it to be.
Pamela by Jim Klein
Jim Klein often says that he grew up having more experience with cows than people. His works of Pamela, Piper, and Jondy are prime examples and pay a gentle homage to his farming background.
Where do you find the inspiration for each cow’s title?
Jim: Unsurprisingly, sometimes the paintings are inspired by real cows (or other animals) I’ve known throughout my life. They’ve gotten such great reception that most of the paintings have sold out. I’ve even had some visitors who want cows named after them!
Jondy by Jim Klein
Jondy is one such painting. At the time I had just completed painting on the sidewalk outside the Art Factory. I stood in front of the canvas, studying the art and debating what to call it, when this nice couple from Charleston came by. We chatted for a moment when I decided to ask them what I should title the painting. Without hesitation, the woman excitedly told me, “You should call it Jondy, that’s my name!”
I wouldn’t have ever landed on Jondy, but she was so confident about the name I decided that’s what the painting needed to be titled.
Another time, a young couple came into the gallery. We got to chatting, I learned they were engaged and we talked about the cows series. The young lady excitedly told me “ Name one Pamela, after me!” Pamela was born.
A lady from San Francisco said I “understand the soul of a cow” after viewing the cow series at the Gallery. I certainly have a deep understanding of cows.
old corn silos on the Klein farm
What other pieces have been inspired by your background?
Jim: Quite a bit of my work can be traced back to my lifetime in agriculture. Throughout our lives, our experiences and memories build up a visual library in our minds. We almost can’t help but draw on our life experiences when engaging in artistic pursuits. These memories channel their way through the paint and brushes onto the canvas. It’s nearly subconscious at times.
In fact, I find painting is a way to relive and experience moments in life. Many times I’ll be working away at a canvas when it will hit me; a memory or feeling of “Oh my gosh, that’s where THAT comes from!” The past is alive again through abstract brush strokes and color.
Tractor by Jim Klein
Do you have advice for other creatives seeking to connect deeper with their audience in this way?
Jim: Look back at what you’ve gone through and recognize that that is your bedrock- it’s an invaluable reservoir to draw from for your creativity.
It’s not always fun. Life has chapters, and sometimes it’s not a happy chapter, but there will be a better one later on. We have all these opportunities to draw from, we just have to look at what we have.
As my grandma from the old country would say: “Work where you’re at.”