Slow Art Sunday - Dunn

This week Slow Art Sunday brings you American artist Harvey Dunn, renowned painter of “The Prairie is my Garden” (1950).  Born in 1884, Dunn’s deep connection with the Midwest shaped his artistic style and set him apart as an adept interpreter of rural life.

He began his career as an illustrator and subsequently opened a school for illustration.  An influential teacher, he later stated that teaching was the most worthwhile thing he had done. During World War 1 he became an artist correspondent and spent time on the front lines (second picture). Upon returning, he threw himself into painting intensely and produced an extraordinary amount of artwork.

Dunn had a remarkable ability to capture the essence of the prairie and his paintings show great respect for the land and its resilient people.  No doubt if those wide-open spaces were your first home, you appreciate the simpler, harsh and wholesome life that Dunn was communicating through his art.

Take a moment today to bask in the beauty of this mother and her children on the prairie.

#slowartsunday #slowart #harveydunn #prairielife #slowartflow #thepraireismygarden