Sower's Votive
Index of Images: (From left to right)
Corinthian Column: Together with the more futuristic column on the right, they act to frame in the scene of the painting. Similar columns can be found on the Postal Building on 24th street in South Omaha.
Comedy Mask: Alluding to the dramatic arts. Along with its counterpart on the opposite end of the painting, and the help of the columns and arches, it helps to ‘set the stage’ of the painting.
Water: As one of the four (or five) natural elements, represents the might of the Missouri River and its importance to the area and power to flood. The other natural elements of earth, air, fire and ether can also be found throughout the piece.
Smokestacks: The smokestacks come from the steamboats that used to travel up and down the mighty river, echoed on the far right by the steamboat’s red wheel. The smokestack on the right transforms into a tower, where a figure can be seen standing in the archway. This figure has been thought to be Mr. Keel himself, but nobody knows for certain.
Native American on Horse: Originally meant to represent Red Cloud (note the red cloud above his head), a regional hero, came to represent South Omaha’s past and the native people of the area.
Ship Under Attack: References any number of famous stories about ships at sea, under siege in one way or another by a sea monster of some kind.
Man Blowing Bubbles: An homage to one of my favorite painters Salvador Dali, who often painted stretched faces bizarrely across his canvases. This face is a lighthearted take on the master’s work, blowing bubbles that are changing into hot air balloons. The hot air balloons take me back to memories of the fall balloon launches at the old Ak-sar-ben during River City Roundup.
The Sower Statue: The Sower image is from the crown of the capital building in Lincoln, NE. It is the symbol used for the Golden Sower Award, which recognizes the best in children’s and young adult literature. Only the most exceptional books receive the honor to bear the Sower’s image on their cover, and is therefore a symbol of value and greatness. The Sower’s strong ties to youth literature and its appeal to greatness is the reason why it is chosen as the central character in this painting.
The Seal Behind the Sower: The sun-like circular pattern and connecting shapes are borrowed from the floor tiles of the Durham Museum.
The Night Sky: The shapes of the floor tile open into a view of the milky way, a mesmerizing sight, that is lost in today’s cities. Space is a portal to our past and our future. The stars begin to stray from this space and carry throughout the unfolding painting.
The Red Bridge: Based on the South Omaha Bridge to the Veterans Memorial Highway.
Giant Squid: Represents sea monsters such as the Kraken that can be found throughout literature, but is also a kind of symbolic imagery that I have adapted into some of my art.
Corn: Farming this crop is a large part of Nebraska, its presence goes without saying.
Gears: Along with the machinery and industrial images represent productivity and industry. Some of these images are borrowed from old stockyard pictures.
The Crow: A personal representation.
Men Hammering in Railroad Spike: The two figures driving in the spike represent not only the railroad’s influence on Omaha’s economy (which is further echoed by the train), but also shows how this city was built on the labor of many races and cultures working together. This image can also be interpreted as an allusion to the famed tall tale of John Henry.
Balloon Heads: These are a work of pure fantasy. Being held by a headless man, they are meant to be his wandering thoughts, each with its own personality and motives.
Man Carrying Bull: Embodies the stockyard’s amazing impact on South Omaha’s growth, earning it the nickname “The Magic City” in its heyday. These stockyards became the World’s Largest. This image can also remind of Paul Bunyan.
Beanstalk: It twists high into the sky and roots itself deep into the ground, again indicative of Omaha’s ‘roots’ as an agricultural community and also calling to mind the legend of Jack and the Beanstalk.
Yellow Submarine: Because we all live in one.
Tornado: If you follow the skyline from left to right, it begins as pleasant blue skies that change to cloudy, until the storm turns black and green and forms a twister; harkening to the extremes of mother nature in this region.
Woman Dancing: Based on a Flamenco dancer, and in combination with the calla lilies and Aztec patterning that surround her, portrays the Latin influence in the area.
Steamboat Wheel: Appears at the corner opposite the smokestacks to give the feeling that the whole scene could be occurring upon a boat paddling down the river.
Tragedy Mask: Is supported by some of the imagery around it; the tornado, the fiery oranges and dead tree, and works in conjunction with the comedy mask on the far left.
Abstract Colors and Shapes: These streaks of bright colors can be spotted throughout the piece and act as evidence that the scene is fantasy. They are the totems and relics of a dream.
Abstract Column: Helps to frame in the scene. This column is meant to be read as futuristic in a way, ending the painting with a feel for the future.
My name is Joe Nicholson. I have been making art since I could pick up a crayon. I was born and raised here in Omaha. In school, I received numerous art honors and awards including several gold and silver key scholastic awards. I was also selected to attend a summer art course at the Joslyn Art Museum, and even had art featured on a billboard less than a mile from R.M. Marrs Middle School.
I went on to earn my bachelors degree in Studio Art and minor in Art History, graduating magna cum laude from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2008. I have had artwork featured at various locations in the city including inside the showroom at Mercedes Benz of Omaha. I have worked on other commissions, doing oil paintings, portraits, t-shirt designs, and illustrations. I am fluent in most artistic mediums, but especially in oil, watercolor, acrylic, pencil, and pen and ink.
After receiving a generous grant from the Sherwood foundation, preparations began for bringing in a mural to inspire and spark the interests of our students.
On the left: Artist Joe Nicholson and director of Library Services Laura Pietsch discuss the second sketch for our Mural and the logistics for completing the project.
Omaha Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, citizenship status, or economic status in its programs, activities and employment and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following individual has been designated to address inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Superintendent of Schools, 3215 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE 68131 (531-299-9822).
Las Escuelas Públicas de Omaha no discriminan basados en la raza, color, origen nacional, religión, sexo, estado civil, orientación sexual, discapacidad , edad, información genética, estado de ciudadanía, o estado económico, en sus programas, actividades y empleo, y provee acceso equitativo a los “Boy Scouts” y a otros grupos juveniles designados. La siguiente persona ha sido designada para atender estas inquietudes referentes a las pólizas de no discriminación: El Superintendente de las Escuelas, 3215 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE 68131 (531-299-9822).