A few years ago when I lived in Thomaston Maine, I had a conversation with a friend of mine who purchased a large Victorian house on Main Street. Thomaston is still mostly a bedroom community with all its commercial properties on the east end of town. The original, historic downtown section still has a select number of businesses, all housed in brick buildings that were constructed and preserved from the 1800's.
My friend relocated from California. In the general conversation, I asked what brought her and her family to Maine. She said she loved New England and coastal Maine in particular. She loved the old houses, whether sea captains houses or old farm homesteads. She loved the sense of history.
Unfortunately, there aren't many actual working farms left in the midcoast Maine area. Primarily due to the expense of running such an operation, from animal and property upkeep to taxes, as well as other state and federal laws, make farming a venture not for the faint of heart.
Today's painting is of a sheep farm that used to be in neighboring Cushing Maine. I captured the workings of it in its last year of operation. Like many farms before it, the owners were retiring, wanted to live closer to town, and no one wanted to take over the operation. All the livestock were sold, then the farmhouse was rented out. Approximately two years later, the property was sold. The house and out-buildings still stand, but much of the acreage has been sold off with the plan to build more plain-jane housing.
Until next time,
The Happy Painter,
Jill
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