'Micklem' Barn

A barn is a building that can represent the entire lifetime of a set of people. Here in the country this set of people can live their entire life on the same piece of land, that piece of land will exist also as there burial place once there life is over. Upon driving back and forth to home and town I came upon this scene of a broken down farm with a plot of headstones in it. It piqued my curiosity. One day I brought my camera along on my drive and photographed this scene. I still don't know whom the family 'Micklem' is or what their stories are for time spent working this land but I do admire there handywork in barnmaking. These once where some very fine structures now in decay. And so in tribute to that family, I painted this work.

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What Has Worked;

Penn Academy of the Fine Art Visit in Philly

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Hut for a Blue Tractor and a Red Grass-Cutter

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Remains of an Early Virginian Church

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Whiting Oil Company on W. Main St. C'ville, Va.

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On a walk to my day job in the 1980's I would pass this non-important gas station on the main drag of West Main Street. Today its a new and different event taking such a meandering in Charlottesville, the buildings are all redone and new ten story hotels are being placed on that street. The old has been made new. I believe the term is re-gentrification. Such a change happened to this former gas station. It was a building I passed by and never really took a good look at because there wasn't anything 'noteworthy' for me to see in it. It was your average gas station with mechanics working on cars inside of its portals. But then came the changes and renewal occurred. While I don't like change for change sake, the re-gentrification of West Main Street has added some taste to that street's structures, such was what I saw in 'Whiting Oil Co.' It has had some new walls added, outdoor tables and new glass windows that made it somewhat unique to ot...
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