Step back into a timeless Southern tradition with Tying Tobacco, a nostalgic depiction of life on the farm during tobacco season. The scene centers on an old packhouse, bustling with workers preparing cured tobacco for market. Behind it, an aged log barn stands proudly — the place where the tobacco has been curing for a week. A mule-drawn trailer rests nearby, ready for the next load.
The man holding a stick of cured tobacco represents the next stage in the process — grading and tying. After curing, leaves were removed from the sticks and sorted into three quality grades. A tie was formed by wrapping a single leaf around a handful of others, then placing them back on a stick for market. This artwork captures the quiet strength and rhythm of that tradition.
Look closer and you’ll see the simple joys woven into rural life: a little girl plays with a handmade toy — a lard stand lid nailed to a tobacco stick — lovingly crafted by our grandmother Emma, who brought joy and creativity to the children’s days. Nearby, the “supervisor” relaxes in a chair with his feet propped up, trying to sneak a nap. Behind him, his little partner-in-training soaks up every detail of life on the farm.
Rendered in a warm, earthy palette using colored pencils, pastels, and watercolor, Tying Tobacco captures not just the labor, but the life, leisure, and love embedded in Southern farm culture. This is more than a snapshot of history — it’s a window into the enduring spirit of family, work, and simple play.
Specs:
Medium: Colored pencils, pastels, and watercolor
Category: Historical Agricultural Art
Style: Realism with illustrative detail
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