The etching Tuckel's Farm is the most recent work in a series depicting this farm located southwest of Lawrence, Kansas. In late fall, the season depicted in this print, the crops are being harvested, the last mowing of hay has been baled and stored and the farm is settling into its winter habits. The appeal this farm has for me is threefold. Firstly, its visual aesthetics are largely derived from the harmonious relationship it has with the shapes and lines defining the landscape. Secondly, there is a sense of nostalgia in that this is a working family farm which in today's economy is being out competed by corporate farming ventures. Thirdly, age and weather have further integrated the farmhouse and outbuildings with their surroundings. Subtle details such as the missing fascia board and gutter along the eave of the house are an indication of this process. As the etching needle searches out the rhythm, pattern and texture, the hierarchy of shapes and the volume of space, a sense of balance among the various elements of the print evolves. It is a process of accumulating marks based on persistent observation during many visits to the farm. The increasing density of marks as well as the ghosts of lines scraped out suggest details but are, in actuality, more about cataloging the search for underlying relationships. Throughout the seasons, the ebb and flow of life surrounding this farm has appealed to my artistic and human sensibilities.