This collage is a new challenge for me, and yet a continuation of a series I began in the mid-1980s. My original idea was collages with my hand-painted papers in a square format. I began in a smaller size of 8” x 8”. This worked well for many years and sprouted off into other subject matter which was exciting for me. The plan was to experiment with more saturated, textured, thick pigments, and add other media to the collage papers such as crayon, dry, crushed pastel, wax, etc.

This year my plan is to continue with the square format, but use a cradled panel and let the finished piece be exhibited without a mat, glass or frame. I purchased a case of 12 x 12 panels, planning to display the pieces together as a set. The subject matter is the characteristic barn structures. Cruising the back roads of southern Iowa, I documented many different barns, photographing them from all angles and sketching them on location. I have plenty of reference photos and sketches on hand and began with this barn in Exline. Behind the barn was a distinctive brick silo which was starting to lean to the side. I wanted to take many photos and the owner agreed to allow me to photograph on the property. The silo eventually fell over a few months after I visited. After completing the collage, two coats of UV varnish were applied.