By Amy L. Dempster, Westford Eagle
Drive around Westford today and you’ll discover only small remnants of its rich farming history. But one local organization is aiming to bring that tradition back into focus. Sustainable Westford celebrates local artists this September in its first art exhibition, Farm Art: Local Traditions.
The organization called on area residents to submit their art inspired by farm scenes and food icons, everything from chicken and tractors to fruits, fields and farmhouses. Volunteer and event organizer, Emily Piper said, “Farm art is an interesting theme because food is beautiful and everything it takes to make food for our tables is interesting. From tractor parts to barns to pastures filled with animals, farms excite and inspire artists worldwide due to their simple beauty.”
One such artist is Westford resident and painter Ron Hubbard. When Hubbard first heard of the exhibit he was immediately intrigued. “I’ve been doing paintings about farm and farmland for years,” said Hubbard. “This is what I love and what I do. I got very excited about being part of it.”
Ron grew up in the small town of Morrilton in central Arkansas. It’s the sweeping landscapes of his home state that inspires his work today. “What I paint about is coming back around to the land where I grew up and is filtered through my memories, feelings and emotions.” Continued Hubbard, “I’ve never been able to put people or buildings into my paintings. It’s just land and air and open space. I am constantly trying to capture the simplicity of the land to share with people who view my work so they can breathe a little bit of that.”
Simplicity is something that Hubbard continuously strives towards in his life. “Every Sunday I would go to my cousins’ farm and we would run in the woods, ride horses, pull water from the well, romp with the coon dogs, catch crawfish in the creek and have rotten persimmon wars.” It was a simpler time. One that Ron admits is difficult to emulate for his two young daughters aged nine and six.
“I try to teach them to be grateful for what we have by sharing stories about my upbringing so they can have a deeper sense of value for their things.” Ron’s growth as an artist is also part of his journey towards simplicity.
Hubbard earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Boston University’s School for the Arts. During his education, he studied many of the European masters from Matisse to Cezanne. He admits struggling for many years to come to term with the fact that he is not a European artist. “It was a long time but I finally found my voice as an American and let what was inside me come out naturally. My home land and its simplistic beauty are what keeps coming out.”
Where does Hubbard hope to bring his art in the future? “I want to explore painting the people I grew up with. I have this memory of my mom and her sister sitting on the porch swing shelling peas using their dresses as bowls. They would sit there for hours and just talk. That’s real people living simply. And I think people today need to still have them and that way of life. That’s where I want my art to go.”
Ron Hubbard’s work will be on display throughout September at the Parish Center for the Arts. Or you can meet Hubbard and other local artists at the Art Gallery Opening Reception on Friday, September 16 from 7-9 pm. Art is on display throughout September on Sundays from 12-2pm and Tuesdays from 2:30-6pm with selections available for purchase.
