Hayward, Wisconsin c. 1960s

Editor: So, this is Joseph Yoakum’s “Hayward, Wisconsin,” a drawing with colored pencil and crayon. It's got this earthy palette and almost dreamlike quality. What do you see in this piece? Curator: For me, it evokes memory. Yoakum, though self-taught, had a unique vision. These landscapes are both real and imagined. The textured mountains almost feel like clouds, don’t they? Editor: They do! Like monumental, friendly giants watching over the cabin. Curator: Exactly! It feels… personal. It makes me wonder what Wisconsin memories Yoakum was conjuring. And the slightly wonky perspective, like a child’s drawing, adds to its charm. Editor: I see what you mean. It invites you in, like a story. Curator: Absolutely. It's less about accuracy and more about feeling. Isn't that what art's about, really? Editor: Definitely a new perspective for me; thanks for sharing!