Sonny Thompson Barn
Positioned very deliberately on the slope of a hill, this bank barn was built in 1896 and was originally a five-bay barn. It is positioned at an angle to the slope making the northwest corner of the barn the area deepest set into the hillside.
In 1968, the highway department wanted to destroy this barn for the needed modifications they had in store for highway 231, that ran very close to this structure. Mr. Thompson insisted they only remove one section, or bay, from the barn's length and replace the stone foundation, changing this to a four-bay barn.
The original foundation stones, which were harvested nearby, are beautifully cut and set. The tan stones still show the careful raking marks of the toothed chisel. The barn is mostly hand-hewn and pegged.
Young frisky and nosey Arabian horses called this barn and farm home. They wanted to help me with all my preparations.
They even nosed my tape measure into oblivion. I think it ended up in their straw.
White barns are especially interesting to paint; the colors in the light and also reflected into the shadows can be such a surprise. I completed a plein air oil painting, 14 x 18 inches. It was October 2007.
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.
