Crops of the County on Canvas — From My Brush to Sampson County’s Art Alley

I was thrilled to have been invited by Peter Butler, Gallery Director at Artworks of Sampson Gallery, to be part of ART WAY, Clinton, NC’s newest public art project, turning a downtown alleyway into a fabulous outdoor gallery. Thanks to a recent beautification grant, the Clinton Main Street Program commissioned a series of twelve 3×5-foot murals on construction-quality cement boards featuring artist renditions of crops, plants, and flowers native to Sampson County.

My contribution? A sweet potato painting, from root to vine! — A larger-than-life nod to one of the region’s most iconic crops.

At first thought, a sweet potato might seem like an unusual subject. But for me, it was a subject I’ve done before on a smaller scale, haha, and I jumped at the chance to paint it huge!!! I composed it from the dirt and earthy roots, to the potatoes themselves, up through the surface to the vines and beautiful, sweet potato blooms. Contrasted by a Carolina Blue sky to make it pop off the brick wall of the alley. My painterly, expressive strokes capture the spirit of the crop, not just its form. The contribution of each artist is both a tribute and a celebration of the land.

Situated between Raleigh and Wilmington, NC, enjoy a little side trip to Clinton to see ART WAY and the gorgeous new Artworks Gallery. Look for the gallery’s welcoming entrance before and after you take in the Art Way!

I’m honored to be part of this transformation. I hope my sweet potatoes bring a smile, a memory, or a deeper appreciation for the beauty growing all around us.