In for the Evening

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16” x 24”, oil, 1980

 

There are still places where one can see the timeless activities of man and nature. Farming has changed in many ways since the 1950's. It has become more like mass production factories and has attempted to eliminate the natural impact of the elements.

Although this is a scene which happened a short time ago near my own home, it could have happened, in every detail, a century ago.

 

The corral leading to the barnyard is fenced with split cedar rails. The siding on the barn probably came from the original white pine on the property, and as the gentle snow drifts down, the sheep are slowly making their way to the protection of the barnyard for the night. The flat, almost abstract patterns of white on gray and gray on white reminded me of an old photograph or etching.