Fruit of My Labor

My goal in choosing to paint this image was to suggest the feelings of pride and satisfaction that the farmer or farm worker feels upon harvesting the "fruit of my labor". The dirt-embedded skin and rough fingernails reflect the conditions under which they labor. The humble potato was chosen because it is so basic and is common to many cultures. I lament the demise of the family farm and the deep connections that those people feel to their land and their work. Hopefully, this image pays tribute to all those who do labor to produce our food- whether farm owner or farm worker. I want this painting to provide a reminder of our dependence on those who work in the fields. Our wonderful cellophane-wrapped food supply doesn't just drop onto the supermarket shelves out of nowhere.