The Creation of an Artist: Grant Wood’s Boyhood Story

This is an American story, birthed from the toil demanding earth in the agricultural centered mid-west. It is a tale of the growth of one of our iconic artists, Grant Wood, whose name reflexly brings to mind the image of the long admired and often parodied painting “American Gothic.” Recalling the words of a youthful Grant (named after the civil war general) with the memories of those who knew him, Barbara Feller knits together the account of how the early childhood influences of poverty, farming chores, and an encouraging mother served to mold the views and outlooks of this art-loving Quaker child. Recognizing his talents, teachers encouraged his drawing aptitude through grade school and college. Even while studying in Europe and picking up skills from European artworks, he identified with the American mid-west and his home in Iowa. He often stated that his best ideas came while he was milking cows and that his most comfortable attire was just a plain pair of overalls. Fitting for both younger and older readers, the viewer is returned to a bygone American era in this simple yet uplifting story of how background and character shaped this mature regional artist.