Greenfield in Hancock County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
A Barefoot Boy
— Art in the Alley —
Photographed By J. J. Prats, November 7, 2022
1. A Barefoot Boy Marker
“I gravitated towards Barefoot Boy out of the rest [of James Whitcomb Riley’s poems] because it resonated with me. I could relate with the boy because I was always a kid who didn’t have a care in the world, always the first to jump out of my dad’s car shoeless to the park and beach. Jumping into the water and trying to swim for hours. Getting lost and having my parents look frantically for me. I guess every boy could relate to this poem in some shape or form.
“I wanted the mural to showcase the boy, I wanted him to have the spotlight, I knew adding two other figures could take away from that spotlight, so the solution to take was for me to lower the lighting and changing the hue so they weren’t fighting for attention. I wanted the first read of the mural to be strictly on the boy because he is the start of the poem. The other figures are just there to support the main character, not to distract from him. The background is inspired by the creek at the Pennsy Trail (where it crosses Brandywine Creek). I wanted to stay true to the colors of the water, the color of the trees, but I wanted to push the stylization of the shapes and make them more playful.”
—Artist Andrew Hem on his inspiration for the mural.
Topics. This historical marker
this page online
Location. 39° 47.119′ N, 85° 46.228′ W. Marker is in Greenfield, Indiana, in Hancock County. Marker is on West Main Street (U.S. 40) west of State Street (Indiana Route 9), on the right when traveling west. It is in the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 24 W Main St, Greenfield IN 46140, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. John William “Will” Vawter (here, next to this marker); Robert Frost (R.F.) Dagget (1875-1955) (a few steps from this marker); John Henry Felt (a few steps from this marker); George William Gordon (1872-1935) (a few steps from this marker); Louis H. Gibson (within shouting distance of this marker); Information on the Move (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); James Whitcomb Riley (about 500 feet away); Veterans Memorial (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greenfield.
Regarding A Barefoot Boy. The mural is on the side of the building, facing west.
Additional commentary.
1. A Barefoot Boy, 1883 sonnet by James Whitcomb
Photographed By J. J. Prats, November 7, 2022
2. “A Barefoot Boy” Mural and its Marker
A barefoot boy! I mark him at his play—
For May is here once more, and so is he,—
His dusty trousers, rolled half to the knee,
And his bare ankles grimy, too, as they:
Cross-hatchings of the nettle, in array
Of feverish stripes, hint vividly to me
Of woody pathways winding endlessly
Along the creek, where even yesterday
He plunged his shrinking body—gasped and shook—
Yet called the water “warm,” with never lack
Of joy. And so, half enviously I look
Upon this graceless barefoot and his track,—
His toe stubbed—ay, his big toe-nail knocked back
Like unto the clasp of an old pocketbook.
— Submitted November 13, 2022.
Mural by Andrew Hem, photographed by J.J. Prats, November 7, 2022
3. “A Barefoot Boy” Mural by Andrew Hem in Greenfield, Indiana
Credits. This page was last revised on February 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2022, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 135 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 12, 2022, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 2, 3. submitted on November 13, 2022, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
