A Ballad of the Prairies, Fields, and Hills
On display in the hallway gallery of the Central Bank of Boone County
May 19 - July 6, 2026
Artist Statement
Capturing the amazing skies and habitats of Missouri is an obsession, from season to season. The prairies, fields, and rolling hills fill my senses. Scenes from a Boone County porch and out an Adair County barn door tempt me with vibrant skies and subtle colors. Missouri’s natural beauty reveals a new narrative each day. Painting surprising or refreshing colors on a canvas and shaping them into elegant and abrupt forms, the sheer beauty of nature is a drama. Those contrasting feelings are my goal as an artist. I strive to help viewers open their senses and interest to the natural scenes at play.
Artist Bio
A plein air artist from rural Boone County, Martha shares her love for nature through painting and art. Her background in wildlife conservation and nature education peeks through the canvas. Born and raised in rural Adair County, she has been a lifelong explorer of Missouri’s diverse habitats. A degree in Mass Communications from Truman University allowed her to mix art into her career, while retirement has opened time for coursework at William Woods University and the rich group of local artists who have helped mentor her along the way.
Prairies and woodlands are complex and fascinating habitats – the subject for many of her works. Martha sees art as a way to capture moments of beauty in the fields, woods, and rivers, then share those vibrant colors and forms as a connection to the outdoors. To her, the natural world soothes the soul and focuses the eye. Hours at an easel are precious days in the outdoors.
