Barns are showing their age

We cleaned the leaves out of the gutters and stacked piles of them around the yard; took down my hammock; and the swinging chair. I guess that means summer is really over, never mind the frost of the last few evenings or the small fire in the fireplace to chase away the chill.

The fact is my studio is getting chilly but not too uncomfortable yet. I am painting some local barns that have attracted my attention. Not because they are new and perfect, just the opposite. They are old and are showing their age and that’s what drew my attention to them. In their state of disrepair, I find beauty. The missing boards, the gaps in the roof all add character to these barns.

There are two very distinctive barns less than a mile from my front door yet they were hidden by trees and other buildings. Just off U.S. Route 42 going toward Plain City is another very interesting barn. Just down the road in the other direction is one that was covered by a corn crop. Going into Mt. Sterling on state Route 56 is another barn being taken over by time and weather.

Soon most of these will be gone probably without a record of them ever being there. I am armed with my digital camera, brushes, canvas and paint and I will capture what I can and show their beauty in their state of decay. As I said, it’s that state that makes them beautiful and interesting. I have four barn paintings I am presently working on and just yesterday I learned the location of possibly two more barn structures.

Pick a subject. You will find something similar to it in your own neighborhood. All you have to do is look for it. It may be just around the corner.

Harry Croghan is an artist, photographer, writer and teacher. You can send comments to croghan@dragonbbs.com or call (740) 852-4906.