Vonnie's House: Weathered Door Ink & Color Wash

There were many doors like this out on the farm. The old two story farmhouse still stands, and so does the workshop over the cellar house. Most of the farm buildings are long gone including the chicken coop out back, the pig pen and the barn that we spent so much time in. All of the farm equipment was auctioned off after the passing of my grandparents. Even the remaining portion of the barn was sold at auction. It sold last. The stipulation was that whoever bought the barn had to dismantle it and take it away. I couldn't even think about being there to witness its demise. But I heard that a craftsman bought it, and that offered me some measure of comfort, knowing that pieces of that old barn live on, scattered throughout the region in various forms and shapes.

When I saw this painting tutorial by Peter Sheeler, it reminded me of a one room house on the farm we always called 'Vonnies' house. I never knew ole Vonnie, he was long gone before I arrived on the farm. But his little one room house remained out back and I remember many a day that I played out there. As the story was told to me, he was a farmhand who worked for room and board and meals that my Granny cooked. My folks must have thought a lot of him because his little house was never used for anything after his passing. We kids just always knew that it was Vonnie's house.

I often think that I would like to go back to the farm to take pictures of what is left of it. I guess I hesitate because I picture it as it was when I was little and I know that it won't be the same. The land will be the same though, the same fields, the same rolling hills, the tree with the initials carved in it, the little creek out back. They say the new owner still keeps a garden, although smaller than it was back in the day. The last time I visited was many years ago. Great grandma's rhubarb patch was still there at the corner of the old garden, coming up year after year. I wonder if it is still there?

My grandmother always picked rhubarb to make a rhubarb and strawberry pie. Oh and was it ever GOOD! I looked for a few recipes, and here is a link to one that looks promising: https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/strawberry-rhubarb-pie/

Pixabay photo courtesy of Photographer Karolina Grabowska

https://pixabay.com/photos/rheum-young-plant-rhabarbarum-791719/

Peter Sheeler link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAIT_PwolnE

My painting was painted on 5.5 x 8.5 in, 140 lb. cold pressed watercolor paper.

I used my trusty 005 Micron Pigma pen to sketch the drawing and various colors for the color wash including: Sap Green, Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Blue, Sepia, Yellow Ochre, and Phthalo Blue

Now to see if I can find anyone growing rhubarb. Anyone?

Cheers,

Helen