Rumspringa is a rite of passage for Amish youth, and normally begins at age 16 and ends when a person chooses either to be baptized in the Amish church or leaves the community. They are no longer under the control of their parents and because they are unbaptized, not yet under the authority of the church. Rumspringa varies greatly between communities and Rumspringa as a wild rebellious experience is unknown in smaller settlements or affiliations. 

This painting imagines the freedom and excitement of the start of a teens Rumspringa journey. Unable to drive, their camper is on a bicycle. It is covered with 1960’s Hippy movement graffiti of peace, free love, exploration, and experimentation. Hippies felt alienated from society, as they saw as dominated by materialism and repression. They advocated nonviolence and love, with a popular phrase “Make love, not war,” and were called “flower children.” They promoted openness and tolerance as alternatives to the restrictions and regimentation they saw in society. In this painting’s journey, I saw many parallels between the Hippy era and Rumspringa journey. 

There are many nuances to this painting including 1960’s phrases but also a multigenerational reference to the boat’s name from Finding Nemo we watched countless times with our children. The chicken on the boat’s bow is imitating the woman standing on the front of the Titanic arms (wings) outstretched feeling the wind and freeing experience.