the river

Iowa City, Iowa

My husband Tom suggested the idea for this painting: to paint the Iowa River and everything that is along it. As I painted, I ran out of room and needed to move the river a little here and there (“artistic license”), and had to leave out a myriad of things.

I included Kalona in the bottom left of the painting, represented by the home of Leena and Jonas Miller, where we brought 25 Norwegian relatives for an “old-order” Amish meal. After enjoying a huge home-cooked meal, all made without electricity or any modern conveniences, we went outside behind the house to see the fruit trees and taste raspberries. In the middle of the backyard was a huge, home-made trampoline! Made of black rubber, it stretched between the hand-hewn wood post frame. The children were impatiently waiting for their turn while Leena, in her full Amish garb, jumped on that trampoline! I stood there with my mouth gaping open as we all watched 75 yr old Leena climb up and jump high on that trampoline! Photographs are strongly discouraged, so I was sure to imprint this scene in my memory. Jonas also treated us to buggy rides. 

Quilts hang nearby a line of modern round hay bales, and the corn is growing tall.  Near Mayflower Dorm, a couple was riding their bikes along the river, when they spotted a huge black turkey, and they both pointed in amazement with their mouths wide open. Now we see wild turkeys frequently. There actually was a wedding going on at Danforth Chapel this summer when I was there to photograph.