Gary Cooper Barn
This barn was constructed around 1937 from used lumber. Buildings in Chicago were being torn down using WPA labor. The lumber was loaded and transported via the Monon Railroad. This historic railway traveled through White County, connecting Chicago and Indianapolis.
After being unloaded at the train yard, the lumber was transported to the Cooper farm and the barn was built. The barn was used for cattle. The Cooper family purchased cattle from farms in the western states. They were transported to this barn then resold to area livestock farmers. The barn remains in the Cooper family and has been well-maintained, updated and repaired over time.
On occasion, a plein air painting excursion becomes an event. This was one of them. It was November 2005 and it was unusually warm so I quickly changed plans and headed out to paint. I wanted the late afternoon light for this barn. The wind continued to ramp up as I set up my supplies and soon I had to stake my easel and hang on. The light was beautiful. Before I completed, a gust of wind took my palette and flipped it up side down onto the driveway made of pea gravel. Every pile of pigment was now heavily implanted and unusable. All I could do was laugh.
Looking back now at the painting, the barn appears to be tilted. Maybe it was. I'm sure I was! Oil painting size is 12 x 24 inches.
All the barn paintings are for sale. Please contact Gwen to find out if the painting(s) you are interested in are sold or available.
