These Old Dutch paintings are influenced by Pieter Bruegel the Elder’s paintings from the mid-1500’s. They show village life as it might have been in Dutch or Flemish communities. The people are depicted working and socializing throughout the seasons. We might find someone harvesting grain, fetching water from a community well, riding a horse-drawn cart, greeting another outside their thatched-roof homes, or children playing with dogs. It all adds to the sense of atmosphere we get when viewing the paintings. It allows us to imagine life as it once was before contemporary technology changed the world.
The Old Russia painting depicts Russian life in a time when hard-working peasant people endured and sometimes flourished in a harsh land. Their small villages of log cabins and thatched roofs were refuges from the vast wilderness. Within them, they found fellowship and community. The cabins were built from the tall conifers that still populate large areas of the Russian landscape.
Old Dutch Autumn - 20 x 16 oil on canvas
Wheat falls at my scythe’s edge, while the autumn breeze blows through my hair. I take time to drink a jar of water and to look back, knowing you are there.
The leaves of trees carpet the ground and the mill stands ready to grind our grain. I’ll work all day at harvesting, as you smile through the windowpane.
Old Dutch Spring’s Kiss – 10 x 8 oil on canvas
The world explodes in cherry blossoms and I stretch my arms to breathe in spring. I clear my lungs of winter air, and smile to hear Sophia sing.
I greet my neighbors as if new friends, while Jayden loads his cart with stones. Our little village comes alive with everyone outside their homes.
Old Dutch Winter Fun – 10 x 8 oil on canvas
Snow, ice, and winter air chill our cheeks, but we don’t care. Farmer Liam drives his cart and we call out to his old mare:
“Daisy, dear, shake loose those reins. Tell your master to rest awhile.” But she continues with her trot and Liam greets us with a smile.
The Old Russia painting depicts Russian life in a time when hard-working peasant people endured and sometimes flourished in a harsh land. Their small villages of log cabins and thatched roofs were refuges from the vast wilderness. Within them, they found fellowship and community. The cabins were built from the tall conifers that still populate large areas of the Russian landscape.
Russian Visitors – 10 x 8 oil on canvas
With walls of logs and roofs of thatch these Russians greet friends from afar. Gifts ae given and tears are shed and accommodations are made for several nights.
Cold streams flow through the grassy countryside, and conifers and white-barked birch trees accent the view. The men enhance their camaraderie by hunting together for grouse, hare, and other game to satisfy their ravenous appetites.
The Forlorn Farmer – 30 x 40 oil on canvas
From golden mornings to blue twilights, I’ve plowed the earth with my aging mare. My eyes are strained from the scorching sun, and my lungs are full of dusty air. My hands are cracked and rough as wood, my feet swollen within my shoes, and now I sit upon a rock fatigued and feeling every bruise.
Why must I walk a furrowed path, and sleep alone within a shed? Why must I break my tired back for simple meals of mead, cheese and bread? Come sing with me a mirthful song to chase away the dismal day. I’ll share my mead and hear your tales of finer times to come this way.
The Lives of Bouguereau’s Girls Paintings
The Lives of Bouguereau’s Girls paintings are influenced by William Adolphe Bouguereau (Boog·e-rō) who was a celebrated French painter of the late 1800’s. He often painted life-sized portraits of French peasant girls peacefully sitting in their period garb. Dennis Hill has given those girls names and painted them partaking in activities common for the time. When the girls peer toward their viewer they reveal a sweetly shy smile characteristic of youth.
Chantal at the Wool Barn – 30 x 24 oil on canvas
Chantal enjoys being a shepherdess, but she also enjoys being at home exchanging stories with her friends and family. Tonight she hopes to see her friend Renee, who just this morning told her that she has a secret to share. Chantal suspects that Renee has become engaged to be married and she is eager to learn if it is true.
Camille Washes Her Feet – 12 x 16 oil on canvas
Camille is used to shepherding while barefooted. Her feet can tolerate the pebbles scattered amoungst the grass. Nevertheless, bathing her toes in a cool meadow stream is a great delight. Later in the day she hopes to take a walk to see Monique while she milks the cows.
Adrienne Feeds Alphonso – 20 x 16 oil on canvas
Adrienne works hard performing her chores. It can be very tiring, yet she is always eager to feed Alphonso. He is her special friend, a huge gentle beast that always patiently listens as Adrienne discusses her problems.
Genevieve Sells Gourds by the Road – 16 x 12 oil on canvas
Genevieve helps support her family by gardening. In the fall she sells edible and ornamental gourds to passersby. Today Gabriel stops to inspect a small pumpkin. Gabriel ponders,”perhaps my daughter Sophie will be able to make a pie with this little pumpkin.”
Renee’ Lunches by the Rocks – 20 x 16 oil on canvas
Renee’s favorite spot for lunching is next to a large outcropping of rocks in the east meadow. It offers cool shade when the day is hot and it serves well as a wind break when the day is cool. Today she smiles with a secret that she holds for her friend Chantel.
Sophie Sleeps – 10 x 8 oil on canvas
It has been a long day and Sophie is finally able to sleep. Her wool blanket doesn’t offer much cushion, but it is better than the hard dirt floor. She dozes off as her personal candle burns. It’s flickering flame always serves as a focus for her thoughts and a seed for her dreams.
Monique Tends the Cows –oil on canvas
Monique pauses a moment to daydream. It is time to drive the cows into the barn for milking, but she is delaying with the hope her friend Camille will visit. Camille is good help with the cows, and she often helps carry the milk to the house.
Melanie Flees the Storm – 12 x 16 oil on canvas
Melanie is frightened. She stayed at Genevieve’s house too long, and a violent storm suddenly developed. Now it is a race to get home and sheltered before the wind, rain, and lightning arrive.
Amer Ago Series Prehistoric cave drawings, wooden sail ships, a scene from an Iowa farm, and other paintings depict American life throughout the centuries.
Fire Story I - 19 x 29 clay paper mache' Fire Story II – 24 x 16 oil on canvas
The shadow of a hunter lost in time is cast upon an animal-adorned cave wall as he tells his tales of hunting and intrigue. Reflect on the emotions you feel as you engage in similar activities, or simply ponder the great communication you have with your predecessors who have lived and hunted through the many centuries.
Cave Art – 30 x 20 acrylic on board
An ancient artist speaks to us. The hunting scene that he depicts was an essential part of their lives. I often wonder what it would be like to have to search for food day after day with the prospect of starving if one failed.
Then, of course, there was the constant danger of predators hunting the people, not to mention a herd of mammoths incidentally wondering through the camp site during the night. The beasts were grazers, but like today’s elephants, they would have been highly dangerous. I imagine a frantic egress into the pitch-black night with screaming and chaos.
Clovis Points on Red – 16 x 12 oil on canvas
Clovis points are a reminder of how connected we are to the past. They are a testament to the creative nature of man, who from early on saw the wonder of combining art with utility.
Clovis Points were first discovered in North America and dated to be 13,000 years old.
Coming Home – 20 x 16 oil on canvas
What a hard, scary life it would have been riding the waves in the tiny ships of yesteryear. It would have taken strong determined men to brave the seas. I imagine the sailors cheered with true ecstasy when their home land was first spotted.
Molly’s Story/Clearing Stones – 40 x 30 oil on canvas
Matthew, my new husband, and I are clearing stones from our land today. It is just a small corner of poor soil fenced off from Mr. Andrew’s estate. A small corner scorned by him as valueless, as wasteland, but for us it is a new beginning. With each stone extracted, we see a more precious field of hope. When we are done, Matthew will use the stones to build an outdoor fireplace, and line an area by our porch for me so I may plant flowers. I am sure other projects will come to mind, since the stones seem to propagate before our tired eyes. The cabin, our home, was abandoned by an old and now deceased homesteader friend of my father’s. Father secured it from the county and made it and the land my dowry to Matthew. Neither of us ever expected to be so blessed this early in our marriage.
Oceans Lost – 36 x 24 oil on canvas
Goodbye to golden oceans of oats drinking wind from the sky, and to tired old farmers who sowed them with splayed fingers board-rough from tilling Earth’s fecund black coat; who sliced their harvest with stoned-sharp scythes and tough-muscled forearms. Goodbye to beauty, sweat, laughter, grief.
Goodbye to my memories of a life unknown by others as I lie in a bed of shallow breaths slowly erasing my mind. Soon I will disappear and take with me the waves of oats. The heavy blanket that covers me in heat, that presses upon my arms, my chest, is the sun as I slice through gold and taste forgotten grain.
Breeze kisses my cheek? I slip to sleep.
Forking Hay – 20 x 16 oil on canvas
Hello, neighbor. Welcome to our farm. You’re just in time for a piece of Mother’s apple pie. She told me this morning that you might come. Roger will finish here. Let’s sit and talk.
The harvest this year was plentiful, and our cellar is well stocked for winter. Stay until after I have milked the cows, and we will go to the woods for a walk.
The Bird Watchers – 20 x 16 oil on canvas
Blue jay in the apple tree. Goldfinch on the wing. Nuthatch walking upside-down. Bird chaos in the spring.
We watch the trees and skies each day to spy what birds we can: hummingbird, and cawing crow, hawk, and pelican.
A chickadee shines in the sun, a swallow dives in an arc, a tanager, an oriole, junco, and meadowlark.
Sunset Ceremony – 16 x 20 oil on canvas
What ceremony does this woman privately perform? Is it to celebrate life and the beauty of nature? Are the flowers a gift for the shimmering sea? Or, are her private thoughts a memorial for a lost lover --- a much-loved man who has passed away? Whatever the ceremony might be, it is well marked with a sunset of striking colors.
Parasol Sunday – 36 x 24 oil on canvas
Sundays are my favorite days for a parasol and time in the park. I wear my special dress and purse and blush when gentlemen remark.
Today the sun brightens the blossoming tress, and flowers around me smell sweet. If only a young man would ask me to walk my day’s joy would be truly complete.