Barn Swell Baby Onesie

"The image of a quaint red barn against green grass is as American as apple pie, but where does the tradition come from? Although there are many myths about their rusty hue, early-day barns were painted red out of convenience and frugality...

...barns weren't originally red in fact, they weren't painted at all. The early farmers that settled in New England didn't have much extra money to spend on paint , so most of their barns remained unpainted. By the late 1700s, farmers looking to shield their barns' wood from the elements began experimenting with ways to make their own protective paint.

A recipe consisting of skimmed milk, lime and red iron oxide created a rusty-colored mixture that became popular among farmers because it was cheap to make and lasted for years. Farmers were able to easily obtain iron oxide the compound that lends natural red clay its coppery color from soil. Linseed oil derived from flax plants was also used to seal bare wood against rotting, and...

I spent many years as a professional Interior Designer, but am now additionally devoting myself to the art of photography. Based in the foothillls of the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York, many of my photos highlight the beauty and rich history of the region. I also have a deep love of New England and the coastal areas just hours from my home, so am broadening my portfolio with photos of those areas as well. In October, 2016 I opened The McKernon Gallery at 216 Main Street, Hudson Falls, New York 12839. The Gallery is filled with Wall, Functional, and Wearable Art that features my photographs, as well as wood bowls, Steampunk sculpture, original paintings, fabric wall art, glass and sculptural jewelry, and forged metal art. The...