John Brown Abolitionist and Neighbor

Last week marked the 150th Anniversary of John Brown's raid at Harper's Ferry. There is a blog set up to commemorate the event here and, as noted in their April 2 entry, our local library hosted a symposium on the life of Brown.

Brown grew up in Hudson, less than a mile from my own house. His home is in excellent condition, owned and maintained by wonderful people who were gracious enough to allow artists to set up their easels on the property. I have been lucky enough to be one of them.

This painting is of the three outhouses on the southern edge of the property. The creamery, the chicken house and the granary - one of the oldest structures in Summit County - they all now stand side by side. I painted this in the summer of 2008 on a blistering hot morning. The painting is 5x7" acrylic on ampersand board.

Another painting from that morning was featured on my blog here Clickback "John Brown's Well" which stands by the main door of the house.