Fred Mohling (1894–1984)
Early Life
Fred Mohling was born in 1894 in Gladstone, Nebraska, and grew up in a German-speaking household. From an early age, he worked the land alongside his family, developing a deep connection to rural life that would later shape his art. Fred’s love for art began as a child. At just four years old, an uncle’s drawing inspired him to start creating his own. By age eight, he had been gifted his first watercolor set, and at twelve, he won his first art prize.
Life on the Farm
In 1920, Fred and his wife Tillie moved to Pleasant Valley Township in South Dakota, where they raised cattle, crops, and seven children. The farm’s landscapes, animals, and daily rhythms became recurring themes in his work. He also enjoyed building hand-crafted outdoor features, feeding wildlife, and tending to the land. When Tillie passed away in 1940, Fred turned to art as both solace and self-expression. He painted late into the night, capturing the complexity and beauty of the world around him.
Artistic Recognition
Though largely self-taught, Fred began exhibiting in the 1950s, winning awards at the South Dakota State Fair and showing his work throughout the state. He is listed in the Biographical Dictionary of Artists of the American West. Fred retired from farming in 1971 but continued painting and drawing—sometimes recreating earlier works. Over his lifetime, he produced more than 150 oil paintings and numerous drawings