About the Work

225: Artists Celebrate Kentucky’s History

We would like to expand our exhibit information about you and your selected work for this exhibition.

Artist Name                ____Cara Haney Clark_____

The focus of this exhibit is in celebrating Kentucky’s 225 year history. Share your thoughts about the specific history your work relates to.

I discovered this historical Kentucky church, the Busseyville Methodist Church, while researching the family history of my maternal grandmother.  Her grandfather, Freemont Randall Bussey owned over 1,000 acres of land in Lawrence County, Kentucky in the late 1800’s.  These lands have since been divided amongst his ancestors down through the generations.  The town “Busseyville” was named for the Bussey family, as they owned saw mills, a general store and furniture store in the area.  They employed many locals, and those who worked for Freemont for most of their lives were given parcels of land to live off into retirement.  Freemont and his wife, Sue Webb Bussey donated the land upon which the church was built, and the church was dedicated on September 9th, 1900.  Busseyville no longer exists on a contemporary map, nor do the old stores or sawmills.  The church was destroyed due to construction related to the Yatesville Dam Project, and the last church service was held in spring of 1988. 

What inspired you to select or pursue illustrating this particular historical subject?

I was inspired by an old black and white photo I found of the church, as well as by the stories of my mother’s visits to the church and surrounding grounds.  My mother recalls the lawn around the church being extraordinarily green, and that little yellow flowers grew along the banks of a nearby stream.  These memories greatly influenced my choices in this painting.  I currently live near the area this church used to stand. As a descendant, my mother still owns part of the Bussey land in Lawrence County, Kentucky.  Periodically we hike these hills and witness the blue skies and dense forests as portrayed in my work. My goal was to meld the simple beauty of this church with the memories of those who have been there; what they saw and experienced.  As the church is no longer in existence, I felt moved bring it back to life on canvas, not only for my family but for anyone who wants to relive memories of their own “little country church”.

Describe the techniques or materials used to create this work and why you chose to use them.

This piece is acrylics on canvas.  I strived to portray a bit of whimsy through color choice and texture in the piece, as well as the use of simple shapes and images. I felt this would best be achieved with acrylics.

What are the most important or key things about you or your background as an artist that you would like our viewers to know?

I have a degree in environmental science, currently work in the development office of a school system, and own a martial arts academy.  I have no formal art education, and like most artists, have been drawn to creating in any sense for as long as I can remember.  From painting, to patternmaking, to jewelry making; I have many creative interests; as well as a love of the outdoors and history.  These themes regularly pop-up in my works. A few years ago I committed to carving out a space and time for painting, to push myself creatively, and take risks.  I currently have sketchbooks scattered around the house and an easel set-up in the dining room.  Intertwining creativity into daily life is what works for me.

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Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea

200 Artisan Way    .   Berea, KY   40403   .    859/ 985-5448