Musings on Art and Creativity

One of my favourite places to visit is the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site. It is a short drive to this stunning National Park with hiking trails, vistas, and a house full of books once loved by the noted author and journalist Carl Sandburg. Less well known today is the award winning goat herd and breeding program by his wife, Lilian Sandburg. Her goats and breeding methods became recognized nationally and a small herd of their descendants still lives in the red barn on the property. The barn is open to the public. These goats are no longer milk producers but pets, and a way for the rest of us to learn about these famous goats. In recent months, budget shortfalls ended the on-site breeding program. Damage from a series of storms, including Helene in 2024, have diverted scarce resources to the maintenance and rebuilding of many Park facilities. The “Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara” are the fundraising volunteer group for the Park and accept all the donations they can get. 

I, too, have faced some challenges over the last few years that have been overwhelming at times. I rely on my eyes and my hands to do my work, and health issues that target them both are frightening and require constant adjustment. Visiting the goats has been a kind of meditation. The goats are sweet, affectionate and full of beans. Last year, the last four kids were born on-site, and spending time with them was full of laughter and healing. The herd was shrunk by half last fall, and so many of the people who love the goats were devastated by the news.

I decided the best way I could help is to paint. So I painted a portrait of every one of Lilian Sandburg’s legacy herd as of May 2026. They are 6 x 6 inch acrylic paintings on panel for $100 each. 100% of the proceeds are going to support the goats via the “Friends”. They are available from the Gallery at Flat Rock, walking distance from the main gate and parking lot of the Carl Sandburg Home. The image with this post has some details and the entire Sandburg Goat Project is here on the website.

The Gallery at Flat Rock is at 2702A Greenville Highway in Flat Rock (just south of Hendersonville NC, and can be reached at 828.698.7000. It is a beautiful small gallery and I encourage you to visit. They are open Wednesday to Saturday, 11-4. Buy a goat portrait and support the Sandburg herd!