Albert's Place by Ken Rogers |
Ken Rogers and Albert Jankus |
From the evening's handout, written by Ken Rogers
"Chuck Suchy, in late June of 2016, told me about a farmstead in the Heart River valley southwest of Mandan which he described as something you would see in eastern Europe--probably in National Geographic: simple, everything well-crafted and preserved. It would be wrong to call it abandoned, however, the farmer no longer lives there.
I told Chuck I would like to paint there, and he agreed to make arrangements...Several months later, in mid-September, I followed Chuck, down gravel roads, two-track grassy trail and through two gates to the farm.
The farmstead had been the home of Albert Jankus, who's in his 90's....He's a member of the Bohemian Hall, one of those ethnic community and funeral organizations to which first and second generation immigrants on the prairie belong.
The derelict farm machinery surrounding the place appeared to be either horse-pulled or for pulling behind those old tractors with cleated steel wheels. The house was neatly, if not freshly, painted....Everything is picked up and in its place.
Periodically, I painted at the farmstead until early November. It was a great way to spend the fall....
The paintings are all 'plein air,' accomplished on site in two hours more or less. They are oil paint on board (masonite).
The farm, and, in some small way, these paintings are a tribute to the life and work of Albert Jankus."
Linda Suchy and Albert Jankus |
The old Suchy farmhouse gallery |
Christopher Dopson, fiance of Eve Suchy |
Chuch Suchy and his daughter Eve |
Leaving the Suchy's Morton County farm to return to the city is difficult, as the peace of the prairie is so present there. Until next time, thank you to Chuck and Linda, and to Ken.
Greatly enjoyed this description, Lillian!
ReplyDeleteLoved this Lillian! And I still listen to Chuck Suchy's album on a regular basis. It always transports me...
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