I began painting this watercolor at the beginning of March and it took me almost a month, longer than usual. I had the abstract shapes in my mind a long time, since taking the photo of this dilapidated hay baler. It was sitting all rusted in a field. A friend of mine, who took me on this barn photography excursion, noted that this kind of baler was dangerous and not used anymore. What caught my attention was the dynamic angles of the machine and the curving belts. The value pattern interested me too—it needed to be painted! I’ve used a limited palette of orange, ultramarine blues, burnt sienna and violet.

Exhibited in the National Art Premiere Show 2013, Elmhurst, Illinois

Exhibited in the Iowa Watercolor 2012 Exhibition