BILL GAITHER/The Register-MailCharles Freitag of Marion, Iowa, begins an acrylic painting Saturday morning at Sandburg Mall.
Common farm memories become artwork
Artist Charles Freitag shows his skills
Sunday, February 4, 2007
GALESBURG - A man who is nationally recognized for creating artwork out of common farm memories is in town through today.Farm artist Charles Freitag is at the Maple City Antique Tractor Association's annual Indoor Tractor Show in Sandburg Mall. At center court, Freitag is painting, signing autographs and displaying his Norman Rockwell-inspired work, which primarily is nostalgic tractor art that includes either John Deere or Farmall tractors from the 1930s to 1970s. That era of tractors also surrounds him at the mall, where 51 antique tractors are on display through 5 p.m. today.
Freitag has sold tens of thousands of prints of his approximately 50 farm paintings across the United States and around the world. His artwork, which portrays farm life, commonly decorates Midwestern farmhouses and farm and agribusiness offices.
The artist's presence at the show is exciting, as many consider him famous in the farm community, show coordinator Brad Underwood said.
Even so, he is an ordinary man. On Saturday, he wore blue jeans and a John Deere sweatshirt under his painting apron. And he spent more time talking to people than showing off his painting talent. His interest in people and their lives is evident in his art.
Freitag's framed prints include farmers putting hay in the barn, hauling grain to the elevator, kids playing on the farm, and the family shelling corn in the old days.
"It brought back a lot of fond memories as a kid," Freitag said as he stood in front of the painting, "Shelling Days," which he finished last week. Prints will go on sale Monday, he said.
Each painting contains people, some of which are his kids, wives, other relatives or neighbors.
"They add interest. They add action, humanity, expression," he said. "They help tell the story."
Indoor Antique Tractor Show
Where: Sandburg Mall, Galesburg
When: Noon to 5 p.m. today
Cost: Free
Highlights:
- Nationally known farm artist Charles Freitag will be painting and displaying his work.
- About 50 antique tractors of all brands.
- Raffle for an 8N Ford pedal tractor.
