The decline of land ownership in America has left some wonderful structures across the North Carolina landscape. It was doubtful at best that the Old North State–or any other state for that matter–could long sustain the Jeffersonian dream of the small-holding yeoman farmer. One hopes their versatility will save them and inspire future builders.

Right now, I’m working on a drawing for a show to benefit the Appalachian Barn Alliance, which has taken under its wing the barns of Madison County. They have a whiz-bang set of brochures detailing the barns, which provide a good historical overview of the structure’s uses over the years. Tobacco curing, especially, is responsible for the manner of barn-building here in Western NC.

If you’d like to see these barns in the flesh, do so soon, before the spring foliage will obscure many of them from view. And take a sweetheart to share the driving. In some places with narrow roads, it’s not always safe to drive and gawk.

Barns or no, you’ll get to see what pastures and fields looked like before the rise of industrial agriculture swept North Carolina and many other places. Landscape on a human scale, defended only by it remoteness.

Show details, and more to follow; do turn out:

Friday, June 21 from 5pm to 8pm: The inaugural “A Pastoral Palette: The Barn Whispers its Memories” Gala Art Show Benefit with food & drink as you mingle with the artists. A partnership with The Saints of Paint artists. Details and reservations, click here.Questions? Email info@appalachianbarns.org or call Sandy at 828 380-9146. Art show continues on Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 5pm.

Long Gone. 18 x 24″

An oil painting from the walnut ink drawing in my last post. 12 x 24″ on linen on panel.

Yesterday’s work and details of today’s event in Edenton, NC:

This oil sketch in progress is of a field in Rocky Hock, under cultivation since the late 17th century and probably before.

The event, Easels in the Gardens, extends through the town.

http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/travel/video/17496209/

Both lie in Chowan County, which marks its 350th anniversary this year.

Not drubbing, but preceding.

I got to St. Paul’s churchyard in Edenton two days before the sexton does his weekly mow.

I found these vulture quills

Tonight they’ll go into the oven to stiffen up. After I cut them into shape, they’ll make things like this.

I’ll be there Friday and Saturday April 20 and 21 to benefit the historic Cupola House.

http://cupolahouse.org/index.php

Friday and Saturday, April 20 and 21, will see me at historic St. Paul’s churchyard in Edenton, NC.

I’m doing the biennial benefit, Easels in the Gardens, featuring three dozen painters, 18th- and 19th-century architecture and gardens, views of open water, a lovely jazz band, and great food. http://cupolahouse.org/easels-in-the-gardens.php

And, it’s the only regular event where I sell loose drawings right off my board.

Part of the proceeds benefit the 1758 Cupola House, a part Jacobean, part Georgian gem.

Both church yard and house are on Broad St., the main drag through town.

It’s free to visit artists and buy before Saturday’s ticketed event.

AND, if you bring a vulture quill from the churchyard, I’ll give you 10% off a loose drawing!

I am pleased to show five pieces at the 32nd annual Nansemond Suffolk Academy Art Show and Sale. I’ll be there today at 10am.

The show opens today and hangs for two weeks.

Deets here: https://visitsuffolkva.com/Calendar.aspx

And here: https://www.nsacademy.org/page/arts

What’s more, a five minute drive along Main Street is a great tour of local architecture: Federal, Greek Revival, and even a Second Empire gem.

Oil on paper. 14 x 18.

This house sits on the Broughton Hospital campus, under the water tower.

Worth a visit.

North Carolina rewards the hydrophile.  Whether it tumbles to the lowest spot or seeks a level and makes peace with it, water can reflect–or create–a mood.

The Breaker. Walnut ink on hand-prepared paper.

These three water studies we’re drawn from life with walnut ink and body color, vulture quill and native cane pens.