Have you ever run through a corn field? If not, please be careful. First, you can easily get lost and find yourself in an unintentional corn maze. Second, corn leaves can be surprisingly sharp so wear long sleeves. Do you know where to grab a crawdad, so it doesn’t pinch you? From the top, just behind the claws of course. I was raised in rural northwest Ohio, and back home, these are facts learned at an early age. Growing up I had little knowledge of the art world, however, I knew I liked to make things. As a child I would obsessively make potholders on a small weaving loom. My mother probably got tired of receiving them as gifts, but she kindly accepted each and every one. I made my way through high school and took a few art classes. I always enjoyed them but never considered majoring in an arts related field in college, which I eventually did. Then it happened, I started college and signed up for a painting class. My thoughts began to change. How I looked at the world began to change. I began to look at everything through a creative lens. For me, once that box was opened, there was no way to close it. I wanted to say something through my art, but it took me a long time to find my voice.

—Tom Ferrell, visual artist