Meaning: This quote by Grandma Moses, a renowned American folk artist, offers insight into her unique approach to painting. Anna Mary Robertson Moses, known as Grandma Moses, gained recognition for her idyllic and nostalgic depictions of rural life in the United States. Born in 1860, she began her artistic career in earnest at the age of 78, and her distinctive style and perspective have continued to captivate audiences.

When Grandma Moses mentions painting "from the top down," she is describing her method of creating a composition. This approach reflects her focus on capturing the essence of the natural world and the landscapes she depicted. Starting from the sky, she would establish the overarching atmosphere and setting of a scene, often using vibrant colors and dynamic brushstrokes to convey the beauty and expanse of the heavens. This emphasis on the sky as the initial focal point of her paintings reflects her appreciation for the vastness and grandeur of nature.

Following the sky, Grandma Moses would then move on to depict the mountains and hills. These elements served as foundational features in her landscapes, shaping the terrain and providing a sense of scale and perspective. Through her careful attention to detail and use of texture and shading, she conveyed the ruggedness and majesty of the natural world, imbuing her paintings with a sense of timelessness and permanence.

Next in her process, Grandma Moses would turn her attention to the human-made structures within her compositions, such as houses and barns. These elements were integral to her portrayal of rural life, serving as focal points that anchored her scenes in a specific time and place. With her characteristic warmth and affection for her subjects, she rendered these buildings with a charming simplicity, often emphasizing their cozy and inviting qualities.

The inclusion of cattle and other animals in her paintings further enriched Grandma Moses' depictions of rural existence. Through her skillful rendering of livestock and wildlife, she captured the vitality and harmony of the natural world, infusing her works with a sense of bucolic tranquility. Her ability to convey the daily rhythms of agricultural life and the close relationship between humans and animals resonated deeply with viewers, evoking a sense of nostalgia and connection to a bygone era.

Finally, Grandma Moses would introduce human figures into her compositions. Whether engaged in work, leisure, or familial activities, the people in her paintings were imbued with a sense of joy, resilience, and community spirit. By portraying individuals within the context of their environment, she celebrated the enduring human spirit and the enduring traditions of rural life.

By painting "from the top down," Grandma Moses captured the interconnectedness of the natural and human elements in her compositions, creating evocative and harmonious scenes that continue to resonate with audiences today. Her distinctive approach to composition and her ability to convey the enduring beauty of rural life have solidified her legacy as a beloved and influential artist.