Note From the Publisher
It seems like every other person in Brown County creates something for a living— anything from fine oil paintings to whiskey. People write books, play music, build instruments, make syrup, bake pies, make furniture, weld yard art, make jewelry, weave rugs, craft beer, and take photographs.
What is it about this place that makes a person want to dive into the creative process?
I think there is something primal about the need to create— something that goes back to the cave drawing days. We have an instinct to express ourselves that separates us from the other species.
Living in the beautiful hills and hollers of Brown County, away from the order and disorder of the cities, seems to free us and take us to another state of mind. We don’ t stop and consider whether what we are creating will please someone else. We do it to please ourselves. It makes us happy. We lose track of time when we are in that process, in touch with some kind of spirit that takes the wheel.
The early Brown County artists recognized the spirit here in the early 1900s. T. C. Steele was the first artist to make this place his home. Then others from cities like Chicago followed.
I have come to believe that every person has the capability to create something beautiful. And that the more we encourage each other, the more creative we will be. As young people, most of us convince ourselves that we aren’ t good enough to pursue artistic endeavors and the spirit gets stifled. But when we are surrounded with people that use their creative energy, the spirit awakens. If you move here, you may start making things, too. I commuted every day to bigger cities to work corporate jobs for many years until I discovered I could make a living making things on my own. I put together this magazine in a tiny office in my home and have for twenty years now. Brown County is full of independent people like me who take risks and create.
As the holiday season approaches I suggest giving something that was made here to the ones you love. Share a little of the creative spirit that lives in these hills. You can find lots of things made in Brown County. Just ask around.
— Cindy Steele
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Nov./ Dec. 2015 • Our Brown County 13