In the colors of fall

In the Colors of Fall captures a classic Wisconsin barn wrapped in the full intensity of autumn’s palette. Set deep in the heart of the Driftless region, this 11x14 oil on canvas is a love letter to the Midwest’s most fleeting, fiery season. You can almost hear the crunch of leaves, feel the cool wind coming down off the bluffs, and smell the distant chimney smoke drifting across the farmland.

This painting leans into the warmth—burnt oranges, crimson reds, ochres and golds dominate the composition. The barn is centered but partially obscured by a riot of trees, as if nature itself is giving it a slow, seasonal embrace. The brushwork is thick and gestural, lending energy to the leaves and earth, while the architecture of the barn remains grounded and calm.

I painted this piece not just to celebrate the color, but to capture that bittersweet moment when autumn is at its peak—when the landscape is screaming with beauty before everything goes quiet. The Driftless region is especially good at that. Its rolling hills and winding roads give you endless surprise views, and this barn was one of those moments worth pulling over for.

Whether you’re drawn to barns, autumn colors, or scenes that evoke memory and comfort, In the Colors of Fall is a cozy addition to your wall.