...And While That's Drying...

Waning Days, 18 x 24 inches, oil on linen

As usual, I have several paintings going on at the same time. I work on one for a while, and put it aside to let dry or to give myself some mental distance, and work on another painting.

This is one that I've just completed and sent off to Anne Irwin Gallery for an upcoming show, Vanishing Barns. I sent three others which were all... surprise!... barns. 

If you're familiar with my work, you'll recognize the motif as the Sloughhouse. I keep painting it in different light conditions, climates, and seasons. This used to be a working hop farm and I don't know when they stopped operations, but has been deteriorating ever since. I'm told that it was growing hops as late as twenty years ago, at least. I should do more research into its history. 

Anyway, I never intended to record its deterioration but it's kind of becoming an on-going, evolving project. I keep thinking of new ways to compose with the motif, and once I think of something, of course I have to try it. And there is a sense of urgency, too, because if I don't do it now, the barns are going to disappear soon. As farmscapes like these are becoming less and less common, I feel like I have to paint them while I still can.