Amish Oat Shocks

Oat shocks are very interesting. Amish farmers cut down the grain, and bind it together in 7 bundles, and then stack them together so they can dry in the field. When one comes across a field of them, it is almost an unbelievable scene, commerical farming focuses on high volume and overall production, it is refreshing to see smaller farms that stick to time honored traditions.

Last year, Josh Hess and I found a field of oat shocks out by Hill Point. We painted out there every day, until they were thrashed. This year, during the same week in late July, Jim Splitgerber and I were driving along, and found another field of them towards Ironton.

This first was painted very rapidly. The goal was to capture the late afternoon light.

12"x16" oil on canvas.

This second was mid day, when I had a bit more time.

12"x16" oil on canvas.

Available at the Blue Heron.