Kathryn Nelson

An appealing piece : The Donkey and the Cart lawn art motif has probably been one of the most popular and long-lasting pieces of lawn art , says Lawn Art , Kansas authors Lu Duerksen and Kathryn Nelson.Although it reached the height of its popularity in the 1960s , Nelson says it is still being made and purchased today.

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Lu Duerksen and Kathryn Nelson know.Duerksen , Via Christi's Manager of Gerontology Senior Services and Nelson , a Spanish teacher at Hadley Middle School , fell under the spell of these fanciful works of art.
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I've always been impressed by lawn art , Nelson said.

From her first memories of a house in her neighborhood , its yard filled with bright-colored , spinning and whirling things to the nearest donkey and cart , Nelson said she thought lawn art needed to be noticed , appreciated.

Duerksen agreed , saying these need to be recognized...officially recognized..

It wasn't until both were out driving one day that they would decide to do something about their passion for lawn art.Seeing a display and stopping to watch as the sun lit it , Duerksen and Nelson decided they would put together a book about this form of art that some don't even recognize as art.

Nelson calls it a genre of art for the common man and the manipulation of color , forms , texture and design serves to delight the creator as-well-as those passing by..

While not everyone is thrilled at the sight of a pink plastic flamingo perched on one leg , most will admit to a Christmas light display cruise and a cursory interest in an attractive rock garden , backyard pond scene or delightful miniature windmill.

Lawn Art , Kansas authors Kathryn Nelson and Lue Duerksen

Duerksen and Nelson found all these displays and more attractive and worthy of noting.

It's the same fascination as going to see Christmas lights , Duerksen said.

Where to begin.Of course it began with the first display the women saw that day and then they just headed out , taking pictures and stopping and talking to people about their art.

As with anything , once attention is called to it , more was there to be notice.
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When asked why this bit or art or that , Nelson said she found that people were , intentionally or not , preserving the past - their Kansas past.

It's a rural connection , Nelson said.There's a lot of history being stored in people's front yards and back..

Farm lawn art abounds.Nelson found that although many had never lived on farms , their parents or grandparent did.

When asked , people would tell the story behind the piece or a little of the history of its use.Most , the women said , where happy to share their stories.

One man , Nelson said , had cream separators being used as planters.The man's wife said they were just like the ones used on the farm when she was a child.Now , they are not in use and hard to find.

Not tilting at this windmill : Lawn art windmills come in every shape and variety.

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The man lamented to Nelson , Young people today don't appreciate things like this.You know , when we die , this stuff will be one of the first things the kids get rid of..Because this may happen , documenting things like coal bucket planters , rake tine flamingos and cows with motorized bobbing heads , becomes important.

Wondering if there were other books like theirs , Nelson , who had a connection in Washington , DC at the Smithsonian Institute called.She was told that there weren't any other books like theirs in the library and would she like to come lecture about lawn art.The curators , she was told , would be happy to have a copy of the book..

Along with recording this highly individualized form of art for others to enjoy , Duerksen and Nelson take their book on the road as a slide show and lecture.They speak to seniors groups , schools , community involvement organizations and anyone else interested.

They also welcome anyone with an interest in the genre , has a story about pieces or has a collection to share.Nelson said it's possible there will be another book , there were and always are more photos to take.

The book is available at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore at Kellogg and Rock Road and Borders.It sells for $12.95.

The next time you're out for a drive , look for Lawn Art.You'll be surprised how much there really is.