Combine Harvesting Soybeans is a detailed acrylic painting depicting a John Deere model 9670 combine in the middle of an active soybean harvest. The inspiration for this piece began with a photo session arranged with the help of a farmer in north Georgia. Don Chandler generously allowed me access to his fields while the equipment was in full operation. Being able to stand so close to the action gave me a firsthand appreciation for the sheer scale and power of the machinery, as well as the atmosphere of harvest season. The moment I saw the combine cutting through the field, surrounded by clouds of dust and golden light, I knew it would make a compelling subject for a large‑scale painting.
Contrast between the precision of the machine and the softness of the natural environment around it.
I wanted to capture the impressive engineering of the John Deere 9670 with enough detail to honor its design, while still maintaining my impressionistic approach in the surrounding elements. The dust clouds, sky, and negative spaces became opportunities to loosen the brushwork and create movement, energy, and atmosphere. This balance between realism and impressionism is central to my style, and this subject offered the perfect opportunity to explore that interplay.
The painting’s size—48″ × 36″—was an intentional choice. I wanted viewers to feel the presence of the combine, to sense its weight and momentum as it moves through the field. A smaller canvas wouldn’t have conveyed the same impact or sense of immersion. By working at this scale, I aimed to give the viewer the same feeling I had while standing in that field: a mix of awe, respect, and appreciation for the machinery, the landscape, and the people who work the land.