My barn motif series began in 1985, when I discovered how interesting the barn structures were after moving to Iowa. Each one is distinctive in its own way. Most of them have disappeared from the landscape.

I spent a considerable amount of time driving the backroads and farm paths, photographing them from all angles. Sometimes I did a quick, contour sketch on location, editing the shapes. My goal is first and foremost about design. Color and texture are second nature to me. I let my imagination and intuitiveness guide me through the process of creating. I allow myself to continue working until it feels right to me, and then set it aside to critique later.

This particular barn belonged to a dear friend of mine and has been dismantled because of unsafe conditions. There were many different shapes and an intricate design of boards, windows and fencing that I changed. A simple design is best, without too many distracting details that compromise the composition. The foreground was uninteresting, so I added some bright, bold yellow sunflowers dancing in the wind. They added interest and color to the design — just what the old barn needed.