48×24 inches
acrylic, watercolor paper, kraft paper on stained maple panel
$2900

The Jobs of Yesteryear series combines history and surrealism to tell the stories of obsolete jobs. A contemporary glimpse into the past, these mixed media paintings serve as a reminder of a time and stories long forgotten.

This particular Job of Yesteryear mixed media painting features grape stompers. The stomping of grapes is both a communal harvest ritual and a practical method of wine production. The grapes must be crushed to release their juices, and the human foot is well-equipped for the task. Harvested grapes are placed in large stone vats or wooden barrels, and the grapes are treaded upon by joyful workers, a scene made complete with a makeshift band to set the tempo. Technological advances such as mechanical wine presses and the more modern bladder press have replaced foot-treading in most wineries, although the tradition does persist in the Douro Valley of Portugal.

The Grape Stompers was created with acrylic paint. The long-limbed character was cut from paper and collaged with kraft paper. The Jobs of Yesteryear are thought-provoking conversation pieces that will bring an air of history and whimsy to any room..