12x48 inches
acrylic, watercolor paper, kraft paper on stained maple panel
$1600

The Jobs of Yesteryear series combines history and surrealism to tell the stories of obsolete jobs. A contemporary glimpse into the past, these mixed media paintings serve as a reminder of a time and stories long forgotten.

This particular Job of Yesteryear mixed media painting features a beekeeper. Beekeeping has been a part of human existence for over 10,000 years ago when it was practiced in modern Georgia (country, not the state). Since then, the dance between man and bee has been largely a productive one, netting happy hives and bountiful honey harvests. The protective suits available to apiarists have evolved over the years, with a medieval version shown in my painting. These utilized a woven basket over the face, protecting the most vulnerable area of the beekeeper while still allowing enough vision to perform delicate procedures. The hive has also evolved from its former woven version to the ubiquitous, modern stacked box version that is used by most beekeepers today.

The Beekeeper V was created with acrylic paint, and the long-limbed character was cut from paper and collaged with kraft paper. The Jobs of Yesteryear are thought-provoking conversation pieces that will bring an air of history and whimsy to any room.