I painted a nude on an old land deed from 1846. The paper is delicate and tore easily — I found myself reinforcing the back (especially the folds) with tape. This 177-year-old document also absorbed paint like a sponge, and I went over the contours of Diana Jean’s back over and and over — but I didn’t mind :)

This contract sells off a piece of land in Ohio for $8, plus interest. As silly as that price seems, it got me thinking about how any of us owns any land at all. It seems so arbitrary and made up. This painting was a mediation for me in just “owning” the ground directly under my feet. For that reason, I call her “Grounded.”

It says:

Know all men by these presents that I Theodore S Bangs
Of Brecksville Cuyahoga Co Ohio do this day for
Myself my heirs and _________ release and give over to Timothy Hall his heirs and _____ One and a half acres of wheat on the land of Samuel Buel lying
North of the old McCrary House in Hinkley as
Security for the payment of the sum of eight dollars
Which said sum is to be paid said Hall by the
20th day of September next with interest
Dated as Breckville this 2 day of _____ 1846.

Attest William Hatch
T.S. Bangs