The subject of barns continues to interest me. I photographed this barn years ago. It is located in the small town of Exline, Iowa, south of Centerville. It is a very plain-looking structure made of stucco, with a holey roof. In front of it is a fence and cattle chute and a very crooked tree on the side.

The challenge of this design was configuring a square shape to an oblong format. Sketching the design, I edited a lot of the details and focused on the front. Collage is a wonderful medium because the artist can simplify the shapes and capture the essence and character. Simplified shapes and a limited palette strengthens the composition.