Montage captures a piece of Texas history

By KARI KRAMER | East Texas Edition

Sept. 22, 2005 - It is a symbol of early American life that most Texans have had the opportunity to see. Some roll freely with the wind, some, worn and broken, stand still - a reminder of how life once was on the Texas countryside. 

They are windmills and Hunt County photographer Rick Vanderpool has captured their essence in his newest photographic montage titled, “Who has seen the wind?”

Vanderpool, of Commerce, became known for his montage of the word Texas. “Looking for Texas” was the first of several montages Vanderpool has created. His windmill montage is his sixth Texas-inspired project.

�Who has seen the wind?� contains about 100 pictures of windmills from across the United States.�

�I�ve always loved windmills and have photographed them for years,� said Vanderpool. �One of my earliest images, black and white, circa 1972 or 1973,� is of an old Aermotor mill at the end of a barb wire fence.�

The project began when Vanderpool decided to take his passion for windmills, and his camera, on the road. He traveled roughly 10,000 miles in 18 months to gather images for the project. 

�One of the most rewarding experiences associated with this collection - aside from traveling through the amazing geography that is The Great Plains and learning the history of windmills in this country - was meeting the millers themselves,� said Vanderpool. �From working ranchers, to the devoted collectors and preservers of the mills and their history.�

Vanderpool was able to learn a great deal during his travels. He came to appreciate more and more the stories and passion behind the pieces of history. When he completed his montage he had hoped to travel to Stockton, Calif. to share his work with someone who would appreciate it - Frank Medina.

�Frank Medina, �The King of the Windmills,�� said Vanderpool. �Unfortunately he passed away at the age of 98 on July fourth of this year, just before I completed the montage.�

Medina is one piece of the windmill legacy. Medina spent his life running “The Wonderful World Of Windmills,” on his property in California. He collected thousands of the structures during his lifetime, most of which were sold through the years. 

�Frank and his son collected the old mills and installed and repaired newer ones, truly epitomizing a love and appreciation for windmills,� said Vanderpool.

And while Medina has passed, Vanderpool has ensured that his memory will not.

�I spoke to his son, Gary, on several occasions,� said Vanderpool. �And I included Gary�s favorite photo of his father on my print, with a few of his (now) 60-plus mills in the background.�

The montage, which has already become popular, despite its recent release, is available in several forms - posters, giant puzzles, and some are hand-tinted by his wife Judy. His art is sometimes presented in hand-crafted frames, also built by Judy.

His artwork is appreciated by many - collectors, photography enthusiasts, and even educators.

�All these collections of images have an educational aspect,� explained Vanderpool. �A legend is provided that tells where each shot was taken and literally hundreds of Texas school teachers have purchased the montage prints for classroom use from biology to social studies.�

�I�m not going to say that �Who has seen the wind?� or any of my montages are unique exactly,� said Vanderpool. �It�s just that no one has put a hundred or so images of any state name, or spurs, Texas barbeque joints, stars, and now windmills, on a single sheet of paper before.�

And since Vanderpool began creating his montages, their popularity has grown, and this project seems to be following suit.

�Lots of people love windmills,� he said. �Windmills have inspired poetry, songs and countless paintings and photographs.

�I am very pleased to add my own tribute to a truly beloved American icon.�

More on Vanderpool’s latest work is available at www.windhappens.com. Samples of his other work can be seen at www.prairierosestudio.net, at his booth in Canton on First Monday’s, and at Prairie Rose Studio in Commerce.