Painting Description

In this hay loading scene from just west of Hawkesville, the dogs mill around the haying action as the team and wagon turn a corner in the field.

Several things are of interest to me in this painting. It is not unusual for the dogs to follow the farmer wherever he goes but it is telling that the dogs are of a smaller variety, or perhaps I should say varieties, as mongrel dogs are often better on a farm than purebreds. Over the years of observing and recording Mennonite life, I have noticed that the dogs used on Mennonite farms have become smaller, almost of the lapdog type.

*This original was part of a large group of paintings donated by the artist to Grand River Hospital in 2012. To see paintings donated: GRHDONATION.