Conundrum!

[yazelm]

I love painting this farm because of the dark green color of so many of the buildings but because of that color it is very hard to paint this farm! This is the mornings effort, I was about half way done with the painting when the new owner came walking up from a neighboring farm. He likes water colors and knew who I was even though I didn't know him. He told me he had just bought the place from the bank and would be taking down most of the buildings, saving the big barn, house and chicken house. So sad this is the last "complete" farm near me.
Water Color, 7x10 on Fabrino 300lb CP, C&C welcome.

[StrangelyBrown]

The buildings may physically come down but they will live for a long time in your paintings. Nice job.

[Gobidharma]

Take reference shots for future paintings.

[yazelm]

I have hundreds of pictures of this place, shot over a hundred today. It is one of the reasons I paint these places so at least they live on wherever the paintings end up if not in reality.

[JamieWG]

I think it's great that you get out there to paint the vanishing elements of the landscape, Mike. I'm starting to paint a neighbor's old farm too. Who knows how long it will be there.

Wonderful job with this! You've given it loads of character and chosen an interesting angle and composition.

Jamie

[LarrySeiler]

you know...I carry a deep sense of walking lightly on this earth, and that nothing is to be taken for granted. A calling really that painting preserves that which is precious, of value...and unfortunately serves as an indictment against modernity.

In that regard...I donate quite a bit of work to Ducks Unlimited to stave off destruction of important wetlands, the Ruffed Grouse Society, on and on...but, even a Biblical reference for any that might be interested...adding again to that sense of a calling, a mission.

comes from Psalm 111-
2Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.
(...and verse four)- He has caused his wonders to be remembered;
the Lord is gracious and compassionate.

Imagine... the Lord is gracious and compassionate, and here...because He causes his wonders to be remembered. Reflecting then...how is such causation carried out? By having wonderful artists out and about with that sense of urgency...

Wonderful piece of work here, Mike...very nice!

[yazelm]

Thanks Larry and Jamie! I have always felt the historical record to be important but I never dreamed I would see things change at the ever increasing rate we now experience. Photos simply are not enough, an artists record is held much more dear and has a better chance of moving others to preservation.
Larry my dad and I built an 8-12 acre wetland on his place (depends on rainfall for size) with about 80 acres of wildlife habitat surrounding it but it right against town now. I have about 65 acres here in two pieces with about 40 acres in a hardwood tree planting that has about 13 years on it now with the bulk of the rest in timber as well. I am surrounded by huge farms here where trees are simply not welcome. With grain prices going up more and more of the fencerows and scattered trees are coming out to make way for more crops. Now I know we all have to eat but I live in Indiana not Kansas!

I will continue to paint nature and the rural life that once was for those that never got the chance to see it first hand.

[LarrySeiler]

very cool...