ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

This painting of the iconic Gold Medal Flour signs, which are visible from the Mississippi River, stand as a beacon of sorts for those nearing the town of Minneapolis.  One of the major industries in our town has been the manufacturing of flour and flour products.  The grain silos upon which the twin signs stand, act as a welcome to the metropolis made famous by one of the main brands of a product known throughout the civilized world.  For over a hundred years, it has been part of our city scape.

Paul spent the majority of his career in the advertising industry. He was trained in college to be a graphic designer. He interned at a printing firm and found out the basics of that industry. He learned how to set type, keyline and clean up finished work. He learned all aspects of different industries and agriculture through on hands training in the field. His inventive brain could come up with ideas on the spur of the moment as he would sketch as the client laid out his plans for his campaign. He was known for his speed and accuracy. I guess you could call him an icon in the ad business. Icons are no different than the rest of us. They just work a little harder and strive for excellence. Paul did that without even thinking about it. I know he wouldn’t want to be referred to as such, but he definitely was an entrepreneur.

Firmly she stands on the water’s edge, brilliantly lighting the way,

Beckoning travelers to stop and stay, greeting them day by day,

This sign once stood lightless, but those who knew, restored her again to view,

Proudly displaying the product’s name, it was again made bright and new,

So when you approach the river’s edge, be on the lookout for her,

An icon of past days  and future so bright, sweet memories  she will stir.