Rice farming is embedded in the heritage of Southwest Louisiana. In the early 1900's the reaping machine played an integral part in the annual harvest of this important crop. Pictured here, the cut rice is stacked carefully and left to dry in the fields until threshing time.

Elton Louviere is a versatile, professional artist who paints landscapes and rural scenes, waterfowl and wildlife. He describes his style as realism and his acute attention to fine detail underscores that description.