I met Inez, a self-taught folk artist while bicycle touring through Kansas in 1978. She was a "sculptress" who spent most of her adult life carving amazing pieces out of Kansas limestone.

She gave me a personal tour of her Continental Sculpture Museum in Portis, taking the time to describe the various details and inspirations of each piece. It was an experience I have never forgotten.

Her sculptures included animals, politicians, scenes from small town life and a one-fifth size Model T Ford. I was most struck by a 6 ft. long sculpture of a one-room school house, sans roof. Inside were students at their desks (in various acts of misbehavior), the school teacher, and a working pot belly stove.

I credit Inez with my rediscovery of photography. Wondering what became of her, I Googled her on a whim one day, finding several websites with her biography. Subsequent links eventually brought me to the PBase site, where the amazing images here inspired me to pick up a camera again.

I decided to pay this tribute to her enduring artistic spirit. Her work may be viewed at the Grassroots Arts Center in Lucas, Kansas.