A Barefoot Boy

Artist Andrew Hem was drawn to James Whitcomb Riley’s poem “Barefoot Boy” because it resonated with his own carefree childhood memories of running shoeless to the park and beach, jumping into the water, swimming for hours, and getting lost while his parents searched for him. He wanted his mural to keep the boy as the clear focus, with two other figures present only to support the main character rather than compete for attention. The background was inspired by the creek at the Pennsy Trail where it crosses Brandywine Creek, staying true to the colors of the water and trees while making the shapes more playful through stylization.

Greenfield, Indiana · United States