Behind the Structures, an Artist Finds Stories

Story and Paintings by Judy Pederson

The look on the face of the man who opens the door of the farmhouse is what I expected.

I have seen that look on others who answered my knock. It is suspicious and a little bewildered. What is this woman doing on my front porch—what is she selling or preaching? Is she lost and asking for directions? As usual, I state my name while handing him my business card and say I am an artist who very much admires the big old barn behind his house. I love painting pictures of old buildings and wonder if he can he tell me something about the barn.