Artist Statement:
"Jay Stratton Noller has studied Oregon Jory soil as both an artist and scientist, and incorporates this – Oregon’s official – soil into his painting “Blacklock I.” This is a two-dimensional mixed media work painted to resemble an 8 feet by 2 feet soil profile. General audiences, and farmers in particular, discover an affinity with Noller’s works that incorporate soils. Noller’s works of art, in concert with his research, help ranchers, farmers, regional vintners, and the general public to understand and decide land use policy.
"This work was acquired in 2014 with the assistance of the Ford Family Foundation through a special grant program managed by the Oregon Arts commission, and sponsored in part by the late Brenda and Gordon Hood."