In 2016, I was selected by the Dubuque Community Supported Arts to create 25 portraits for their collective artist shares.
The Dubuque Community Supported Arts is an independent entity collaborating with the Dubuque Museum of Art and the Dubuque Area Arts Collective -- A new community organization that looks to share the work of local artists with collectors.
Each painting is a representation of an individual who lives or grew up in the state of Iowa. Along with their painted image is their personal story. Below are some of the portraits that were a part of the series.
The Dubuque Community Supported Arts is an independent entity collaborating with the Dubuque Museum of Art and the Dubuque Area Arts Collective -- A new community organization that looks to share the work of local artists with collectors.
Each painting is a representation of an individual who lives or grew up in the state of Iowa. Along with their painted image is their personal story. Below are some of the portraits that were a part of the series.
Dennis James Kelchen (b. March 20, 1956 - )
Hopkinton, IA.
I currently live on the farm that I grew up on by Hopkinton, Iowa. I farm this land and work as a maintenance man and as a carpenter. So, I don't have any typical days, I enjoy working at something different all the time. I would get bored doing the same thing all the time.
I am very proud of helping my son achieve academic success. This was difficult in part due to not living together under the same roof. I feel that my determination is one of my biggest strengths and that working with wood is what I like to do. However putting a smile on the face of a friend gives me the most joy.
Becoming a U.S. Marine was my biggest challenge followed closely to becoming a dad. My biggest obstacle in life though, is my own heart. I fell in love with a girl, and followed her to Alaska. But it didn't work out. I survived because I fell in love with Alaska instead.
Harold John Swanson Jr (b. April 4, 1938 - )
Clive, IA.
A typical day for me includes the following:
Breakfast: raw oats, barley, rye, wheat and yogurt. Check internet for email and news of the day on MSNBC.com. Work in the FreeStore warehouse. Meet clients who come to the FreeStore for help. Play competitive duplicate bridge at the Des Moines Bridge House. Read books on my Kindle. You will find me playing duplicate competitive bridge, traveling, and reading historical novels. However, traveling and playing bridge with Terry, the love of my life for the last 55 years is what keeps me at my happiest.
I am a retired engineer and USAF fighter pilot. I was a pilot for 20 years in both the regular Air force and the Iowa and Illinois National Guards. I retired from the Peoria guard in 1985 as a full Colonel. I resigned my commission as a Captain in the USAF in 1970 reentered civilian employment as an engineer. It was not easy to lose 10 years of job experience and seeing where my peers had progressed in their careers.
1972 and 1973 were low years in my life. We lost a son during child birth in ’72 and I caused a mid-air collision and wrecked two F100 fighters in 1973. I was cocky at the time having just returned from ferrying an F100 from Des Moines to Eskisehir Air Base in Turkey. On a flight back from a bombing range in Salina, Kansas I took my eye off my leader while flying in heavy clouds. I moved back to get in my normal formation position but ran into my leader. We were doing about 350kts over Lamoni. I dreamt about the noise of metal breaking for a long time. This was on a Saturday in August and my wife was due in the hospital on Monday to be induced for our last daughter, Amy. Terry was upset and scared when I told her after I came home that night. An official USAF accident investigation concluded the accident was my fault and classed it as “pilot error”. The accident report was sent to the Pentagon for review and the top Air Force General disagreed with the report recommendation to let me keep flying. But the General in charge of the Iowa Air National Guard disagreed. He briefed me in his office about all the discussions at higher headquarters. But then he said “Swanson we like the way you fly, you’re aggressive and just made a mistake, BUT DON’T EVER FUCK UP AGAIN. (Pilots talk like that sometimes – sorry). That briefing helped me get my confidence back and I flew the F100 for one more year in Iowa and transferred to Illinois with my civilian job and was there for 10 more years.
I am a hard worker and don’t say no when asked for help. I have always been serious about work or studies in school. I did well in technical subjects in high school and received a full academic scholarship in 1956 to study engineering at Purdue. We lived in IA (1970-1974), IL (1974-1985), and IA (1985-present - except for 3 years (1996-1998), when we lived in China, where I set up a marketing operation for Sundstrand). After I retired, I helped found the FreeStore, the only Furniture Bank in Iowa. We collect, store, and give furniture and household items to women referred by domestic abuse shelters and to families moving from homelessness. We also give furniture to young people who are moving from Iowa Homeless Youth Shelters or aging out of foster care. We give furniture to over 250 families each year. I am a permanent member of the board and currently the secretary.
Marisa Miakonda Cummings (b. April 23, 1976 - )
Sioux City, IA.
I am a Chief of Tribal Operations for the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska so a typical day for me includes tending to the day to day business of my tribe; everything from meeting with state or federal funding agencies to organizing a Spiritual Horse Ride to commemorate our Supreme Court Case.
I love to read and research our tribal history and ancient village sites. My children, my companion, traditional ceremonies, nature, and full moons make me happiest.
My whole life has consisted of overcoming challenges and standing strong. I had my oldest daughter at 16. I took her with me to college at 1 1/2 years old and I graduated from the University of Iowa. She is now 23 and finishing her first year of graduate school at the University of Michigan.
The biggest personal change that I ever made was to leave an abusive marriage and my comfortable job and home in the suburbs to move back home and work for my tribe. My biggest strength is consistency, high ethical standards, and compassion.
Bryan Ray Schlotfelt (b. December 08, 1950 - )
Cedar Rapids, IA
I am a retired Theater and Language Arts teacher. A typical day for me includes coffee, crosswords, walking the dogs, and then fun stuff at Jefferson High School. I am happiest when I am dining with friends, walking my dogs, working with the theater productions at Jefferson High School, and spending time with my wife Liz.
I feel that after my divorce I’ve had to work on being less angry at life. I’m also coming to grips as to how I hurt (unknowingly) the people in my life. According to Liz though, my desire in life is to do good. Before retirement, I taught for over 40 years and changed the lives of a dozen students who otherwise would have been lost.
Sakina Ellickson (b. it’s a secret)
Iowa City, Iowa
A typical day for me would be waking up, doing morning prayers, working out, going to work where I would work with a team of three other dedicated teachers to try to implement as many exciting, hands-on activities for kids to better learn science. After school I can be seen either working with my science Olympiad kids on different projects or talking with some of my students that come in about life in general. Do midday prayers. After work, I usually go home and cook/enjoy dinner with my husband. When there is enough daylight, I then start embarking on any of one of my hobbies or projects: baking bread, gardening, beekeeping, planning other projects or events. Do night prayers. Watch some television shows while cuddling on the couch with the husband. Go to bed.
My biggest strength is my ambition and positive outlook. I tend to pursue things full throttle, and I feel like my life is really full for it. I'm grateful to God that I've got the drive and the organization to keep trying and learning new things and meet new people. I feel more hopeful than I do scared, and I think that not only helps me personally, but helps me guide my students and support my friends/family. I am most proud of becoming a sponsor for a Palestinian orphan. I got a letter with her picture, and after seeing her face, I felt like no matter what else happened in life, it paled in comparison to her struggles. I feel more fulfilled in sponsoring her, so that her life could be better. I felt like even though life handed her a blow right from the beginning, perhaps she might have some hope from knowing that someone else out there cares about her and wants her to succeed. I want her to grow up to have a good life and to make a better world.
My biggest change in life was changing from scientist to teacher. It was a huge mental switch, I felt like the world was judging me for letting go of my graduate degree in environmental science, but it ended up revealing who my true friends/companions in life are and also opened up a world of happiness for me. This happiness consists of seeing something come to life because you nurtured it (plants, animals, bees, etc), being able to eat the food we grow ourselves, hanging out with my sister, coming home to my husband, seeing someone's life a little better because you played a hand in it, kids, and of course….chocolate.
Jessica Ahumada (b. September 19, 1983 - )
Des Moines, IA
I am a Customer Service Rep & part-time server so a typical day for me would be Going to work, sometimes a double (working at the restaurant at night. If not a double, I run errands then head home and relax.
I have been learning to live in the present. Thinking about the non-existent (past/future) would prevent me from enjoying life and would also prevent me from taking a risk and trying new things.
My biggest strength is My self-awareness and Food, lifting weights, laughter, organization, traveling, and feeling appreciated is what makes me most happy. My biggest personal change was being able to take out "could" and "should" from my vocabulary because it implies outside opinion which I don't follow (anymore).
Without getting too personal, I think one of my major obstacles was being a 1st generation (Mexican American) college student. I grew up in Sioux City which was full of diversity and culture. I went to college at The University of Iowa which at that time had a less than 10% minority population across the entire student population. Although not naive to the fact that Iowa is predominately white, I was lucky enough to have been raised in a city that had a large diverse population.
Iowa City was a different story. A complete culture shock and I felt more of an outsider than I did at any other time in my life. Rather different cultures being completely visible, they were a bit hidden. I had to seek out similar-minded people, groups, and organizations to motivate me to stay for the education and not leave because of the lack of diversity. I eventually worked through it and was able to find people of all different backgrounds, colors, and experiences to help me cope so that I could graduate from the University.
Steve Stoermer (b. August 02, 1956 - )
Countryside of rural Dickens, IA
I am a farmer, so a typical day for me consist of awaking early and take our dog, Elsa for her walk. Then I start the chores with the animals. Presently we have 4 miniature horses and around 20 free range hens. I water and feed the animals in the morning and in the evening. I am their caregiver. Our four horse’s names are Skiddles, Hershey, Elliot and Luna. I trim the horse’s hooves and comb their coats. Also they go to bed in their side of the barn each night. The horses seem to be really cozy in that barn at night. They sleep on wood chips and they are given treats at bed time. They all seem very happy. Our chickens supply us with eggs. They are on the south side of the barn. Every morning and evening they are fed and watered. In the south facing wall of the barn there is have a photo eye door that opens at sunrise and closes at dark. Those hens know exactly when to leave the barn and when to return.
During the spring I am busy planting crops. This is a sunrise to sunset job. I farm 950 acres. 100 acres of hay, 425 soybeans and 425 corn. Planting takes three weeks if everything goes right. Through-out the months that follow the crops must be watched carefully for insects, diseases, and weeds. Agronomists work carefully with me to watch the crops. If necessary the crops are spayed and/or tilled.
Once planting is completed the bailing of hay begins. This is a very time sensitive job. You must watch the weather forecast so when you cut the hay you have the opportunity to rake to dry the hay and then bail. I bail round bails and then store them and sell the hay through the cycle of a year.
Also I raise vegetables and fruit in two high tunnels. Crops include strawberries, apples, raspberries, cantaloupe, several varieties of watermelons, asparagus, rhubarb, potatoes, onions, leeks, radishes, kale, lettuce, swiss chard, spinach, peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, gourds, broom corn, beets, turnips, carrots, several varieties of squash, pumpkins, and several varieties of beans, Hopefully you get the picture.
The above home grown foods are eaten during their peek and then also preserved in a variety of ways to save for eating later. We also sell many items to people who want clean produce that is chemical free. We also sell our eggs which are as wholesome as you can get.
During the fall is when harvest takes place. This is a very intense time of the year. A farmer is trying to complete the task before the winter sets in. It takes around three months to harvest. If you are lucky you have time to work the land to ready for the next year. So, I don't have any typical days, I enjoy working at something different all the time. I would get bored doing the same thing all the time.
Where I am in my life…turning 60 this year…my proudest accomplishment is my son Adam Stoermer and my daughter Alicia (Stoermer) Clark. Adam and his wife Erin (Haggerty) Stoermer have three children, Brady, Abby and Emily and my daughter Alicia (Stoermer) Clark and her husband Steven Clark have five children Noah, Colton, Macie, Charlie and Brantley. They all make me proud, grateful and give me love. I am not just proud but also grateful about what I am going to mention. I, along with my wife and our children survived two farm crises. The late 70’s-early 80’s and the crisis of the middle 90’s. As a farm family we rallied together. We all worked. My wife and I between the two of us held down five jobs. Our children worked as well and all the while they were honor students and excelled in sports and other activities in school. I am grateful for the unified family we were and are. We were there for each other. We are still here for each other.
My biggest personal change was in 2009 when I quit my full time job off the farm. Prior to that I worked full time job and farmed full time. It nearly killed me….seriously it really nearly killed me. I was diagnosed with mononucleosis in 2008. My body’s next step would have been leukemia. So after that scenario in the fall of 2008 after the harvest I made the conscious decision to cease my full time job.
My wife makes me happy. We have been married 40 years and known each other 42 years. In addition, my children, their spouses, their children and all the dogs make me happy as well. For fun, I like going with my wife on trips to explore. It may be just a simple drive to see an area undiscovered. Spending time with my children and their families is precious fun time spent. I also own a sprint car. During the months of May through September I race the sprint car 4SN. I have a driver and two pit crew that work as the 4SN team. We are succeeding quite well now and we all have a blast.
Andrea Marie Rademacher (40 years young) Waverly, IA
I am busy being a nurse, a mom, and a doggy mom. On my days off I stay in my pajamas as much as possible. I read, watch tv, and color with my youngest daughter. I also like to eat or sleep or snuggle with my puppies. On a day I work, I shower and drive to work, put in an 8 hour day and come home. I try to put off chores like laundry and dishes as much as possible. I routinely stop for fast food.
Not to sound like everyone else but some of my best accomplishments are my kids. I am very proud to have carried and birthed and be raising such smart, beautiful and compassionate daughters. But other than that just getting where I am at has all been an accomplishment in itself. I have no biological family support. My girls rely on big brothers big sisters to provide them with an adult to mentor to them and spend time with them since I can't produce a family for them.
I have battled different medical issues since I was 14, chronic debilitating migraines, IBS with constipation, a rare eye disease and then glaucoma, and cancer. My kids and my dogs provide me with strength as I don't feel strong on my own. I was one of the older students in my nursing class but I was able to show my girls that by working hard and studying I was able to go through school and make the dean's list and join the honor society. Other things that make me happy are a glass of chocolate milk or a drink of soda pop. I also like to use my phone or a computer and go online or listen to music.
As far as big changes, one time I shaved my head. I've also up and moved to where I had no job and did not have friends and family. Adult relationships are my hardest obstacle. There are things like marital infidelity. There are things like being in love and loving an alcoholic/addict for 20 years and realizing you lost the best years of your life, years you can never get back. Scars that are on the outside as well as the inside and trying to get through the day....and then just when you think 2016 is about to start and it will be your best year yet you are rocked by the very sudden and unexpected death of the person you thought really cared about you, due to suicide.
Gina Buelow (b. July 4, 1996 - )
Iowa City, IA
I wake up and start my day off to a 300 student chemistry lecture. I usually have class until 3:30 but I try to study afterwards in my dorm room. I really like Iowa City so I try to catch events that the university is sponsoring, and sometimes we get some cool concerts in town. I like to paint and read for fun. Lately I haven't had much time for art during the school year because of class, but I am thinking about enrolling in a biological illustration class this summer. I have five geckos that I really love. I started out with one named Merlin, and then I got him a friend. Then three little babies happened. I also really like bugs, so I catch caterpillars and raise them in the summer and that makes me pretty happy.
An accomplishment that I’m most proud of was during my senior year of high school. I was in academic decathlon and got a perfect score on my speech. I had to give it in front of everyone and I still can't believe I got through that.
My biggest strength would be that I am self-aware and also try to be empathetic to others. I am always making sure I'm doing my best to make members of the community feel accepted, and change my behavior or actions if it benefits others. My biggest personal change would be when I moved from Fairfield, Iowa to Cedar Rapids, Iowa when I was 13. It was really hard moving from a small town to what I considered a "big city". I love both places now and feel like I can always find a place to fit in and grow.
My entire life I've had anxiety over situations and trying to make others happy, and just general worry. One of the biggest obstacles I had was telling my parents I wanted to feel better- and that wasn't going to happen on its own. I think a lot of people have misconceptions about mental health and feel hesitant to reach out, but when I started talking to professionals it really helped me. It really made me see that I shouldn't be ashamed to explain what I felt, and that my feelings were valid even if other people have it worse off.