Artist's Statement

‍“Prairie Sanctuary” captures an abandoned church isolated within a prairie landscape. The afternoon light highlights the weathered, unpainted wood siding and casts a strong shadow from the bell tower onto the roof. Spaciness and color are important elements in the work. The sky, rendered in muted blue and grey tones with traces of pink, contrasts with the warm yellow tones of the landscape. Structures like this, now abandoned, remain scattered across the western plains. The painting speaks to the significance of these simple structures, which once served as focal points for their communities. These humble buildings were places where past generations gathered to hold services, celebrate christenings, weddings, funerals, and other significant events in their lives.

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