Old Jack’s Hands by Francis Marte

It’s an honour bestowed to us, not once, but twice by artist Francis Marte. Here for your viewing pleasure, it’s the second painting by this watercolourist extraordinaire inspired by a photo from this website. And he picked a most incredible subject, a pair of old grizzled hands cupping grain, a touching image of a person we call a friend, Old Jack, an aged character living alone out on the plains of Saskatchewan. Well into his eighties, he still puts in a day’s work and does so without complaint. Being a farmer means a lifetime of toil with zero retirement options. He laughingly accepts that it’s his lot in life.

The “hands” photo was captured while shooting a documentary called ”Forgotten Prairie” shot back in 2017 by filmmaker (and of course, dear friend) Rueben Tschetter (Google the guy). In that production, he shadows Team BIGDoer, and friends, as we travel prairie backroads one frigid spring weekend, visiting ghost towns and chatting with the people connected with them. This is a must watch…and not because of our participation, but rather that the filmmaker is creative and skilled and has made a most moving and well put together piece.

The photo was captured while exploring Old Jack’s Grain Elevator (see: Forgotten Prairie: Fusilier). He took us for a tour of this building and the general area around where he grew up and has resided almost his entire life. His current home is a click or so from where he was born, just out of sight behind a small rise and some trees. The shot was captured in the driveway, where grain from farmers was offloaded. Him and a million other farmers have stood on this very spot.

He’s owned the elevator, built about a century ago, since it closed in the 1970s. In chatting he admits he’s not completely sure what to do with it but felt it had some historic value and so should be saved. If not for him it would have long ago been reduced to kindling. He worries what will happen to it when he ceases to be.

He shares many memories from a lifelong connection to the building and speaks of delivering grain to it back in the day. And then he’d stop the local general store, still (sorta) standing over where downtown was, and taking in a dance on the weekends at the theatre down the street (mostly collapsed). We could listen to him all day. And one day we did. Here, a second visit with him where he showed us all the old metal on property (tons of it), all the while giving us a history lesson of what we saw, sharing his life story, and that of the area interspersed with random bits of local lore. And we all stood there mesmerized.

From our second visit with the man…
Old Jack’s Collection (1) – old cars, truck and tractors.
Old Jack’s Collection (2) – and a plane.

Grain scattered about the floor of the elevator, dumped there long ago, becomes a prop for the camera. The photo comes from Connie, who incidentally contributes a good number of images to this website. It’s not just that yellow-adorned dude providing the photos. We rarely touch on who shot what, since we’re a team, but hint…if it’s got people in it, chances are Connie captured it. And if it’s got a bridge, that’s all Chris.

Now on to the star of this article, the artist Francis Marte. His technique, as you can see, is done in a fashion that imitates real life. One has one look twice to differentiate painting from photo. This is known as realism, or alternately naturalism, and his work speaks volumes in the unbridled honesty of which the subject is documented. There is no romanticizing what’s seen, unless the subject itself has those traits, and it’s just a look at the world without benefit of any filter. It is what it is, as the old saying goes. And it’s fabulous.

We’ve become huge fans. But that’s probably obvious.

Hard to believe but the artist is relative newcomer, having been at it for a few scant years and for the most part is self taught. Say it with with me…amazing!

If you’d like to see more of Francis’ work, search “Francis Marte Watercolours” on Facebook. And be sure to mention this article. Francis is based out of Edmonton and is at your disposal for sales of his work, for commissions and art lessons.

If you’re an artist in any medium and would like us any of our photos as inspiration for a piece be sure and shoot off a message to us. We love to collaborate with talented individuals.

A big thanks to Francis for allowing us to share his work. It’s good and should be seen.

Another painting Francis did inspired by one of our photos…
Milk River by Francis Marte.
And the subject…
Prairie Sentinels – Milk River Alberta – warning badly processed photos!

More Old Jack…
Old Jack’s Collection (1).
Old Jack’s Collection (2).
Forgotten Prairie: Fusilier – this is where Francis found Old Jack’s photo.

If you wish more information on what you’ve seen here, by all means contact us!

Date of (original) adventure: April, 2017.
Location: West-Central Saskatchewan.

Old Jack’s Hands.

As a work in progress.

And the completed painting by Francis Marte.