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John Crothers

10 Years Ago

This Barn Is Gone

This barn

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collapsed recently. As some of you may know I am diligent about obtaining permission when I shoot private property. I talked to the old man that owned this barn and he welcomed me back whenever I wanted.

This is what remains

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Today I went to the property to give the old man a print of the first shot. I met his son. The old man that gave me permission to shoot died of cancer not too long ago.

While I was there I was able to gather up some old boards from the barn with the hope of turning those boards into a frame for the picture of the barn.

My question (yes I have a question) is...do you think I could charge a premium for prints in a frame made from wood from a barn that is gone? Is it a supply and demand thing? Even though there isn't a huge demand, there is a VERY limited supply as they are working hard to get rid of all that remains of this barn. If you think it would make the print worth more, how much more would you charge for a print framed in this wood?

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Jeffery Johnson

10 Years Ago

How much work will it take to turn the blanks into frames and then how much for the sizes you wish to print and then how much do you think your time is worth?

 

John Crothers

10 Years Ago

Is it worth any more than my time Jeffery? It's not wood from the local lumber yard, it is wood that is in a very limited supply.

Of course, it will take a good deal of time to make the frames!

 

Jeffery Johnson

10 Years Ago

Sure if you are there to share the story about the barn a bit of history behind it and add that as print out to go with with each print. Without that then they are just nice reused barn wood that has been turned into frames. Though that would be another angle as well as it would be a re-purposing the wood so it now is a green product.

 

See My Photos

10 Years Ago

Maybe the story can be placed on the back of the frame??

 

Gary Whitton

10 Years Ago

If it were me, I am not sure there would be anyone who valued the history of the picture and the frame that surrounded it more than myself.

 

Kim Bemis

10 Years Ago

John,
What a beautiful idea. I have some barnwood frames in shops in my area. I am in a beach resort, and they have a driftwood feel. Here are some pluses and minuses:

Pluses
1 -This will make a wonderful conversation piece for your customers. This is something that locals will greatly appreciate.
2 - It should sell at a premium.
3 - And of course, the shear joy you will find in the project.

Minuses:
1 - It will certainly take a lot of time and effort. But it sounds like something that you will enjoy doing.
2 - There is a limited market for barnwood frames. My customers love the beachy feel that the frames give, and comment on this when they see a barnwood frame on display. But there are only a few that actually want that rustic look on their walls. Nevertheless, there is a market for it, just somewhat limited. To get around this, I suggest that you make other frames available.
3 - Lead in the paint is an issue. Any housepaint before 1973 has lead in it. I don't know what the story is with barn paint. Are you going to strip the wood? In any work that you do, you need to wear protective gear to keep from breathing in or injesting dust. In most states, any construction work involving removing window frames or walls before 1973 must completely seal off their work, and workers must wear protective gear. You must clean up thoroughly, all the more so if children will be around. My brother installs windows in Maryland and Delaware. When the laws first came out, he griped against them, as it means extra care and extra work. Once he learned the seriousness of the health issues involving lead poisoning, he realized the importance of these laws.

Suggestions:
1 -If you decide that it is impractical, try one of the barnwood framing companies. One that I like is http://www.allbarnwood.com. Their genuine barnwood is from old barns out west. Their prices are reasonable. The frames come complete. The old paint has been stripped. They have a nice choice of earthy colors. You can google 'barnwood frames' to find other similar companies.
2 - Is there a framer or woodworker in your area who can do the grunt work for you?

I do hope that it works out, John. It is a wonderful concept.

 

Anthony Davey

10 Years Ago

I agree with Kim's fine comments, he sounds genuine and seems to have a grip on the whole thing, my idea is also offer a limited edition print that is line with the amount of timber you have access to and YES that is well worth a premium of at least 100%, at the end of the day the purchaser is getting a picture that is framed in the original wood of the subject itself, BTW Top Idea

 

JC Findley

10 Years Ago

I would do it purely for the joy of doing it and then charge a large premium for it.

Why the large premium? Because I would have every intention of keeping it for myself and as a show display BUT I will sell just about anything for the right price and will put that price on said object. If it doesn't sell, well, I just wouldn't care one way or the other.

(Note: I will not sell my dog, my children or a very limited few family heirlooms, beyond that let the bidding wars begin.)

 

Mike Savad

9 Years Ago

charging the family who's father just died, i wouldn't charge them any extra. for the free wood, well, it really depends how much extra character it actually lend the piece.

---Mike Savad

 

Edward Fielding

9 Years Ago

BTW - old barn wood is highly sought after and valuable. A barn salvage company near me gets something like $15 a foot.

 

JC Findley

9 Years Ago

I am pretty sure he wasn't talking about charging the family a premium there.

 

John Crothers

9 Years Ago

Thanks everyone. Here is a quick shot of one of the boards.

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Kim,
I thought about lead paint. My understanding is if you don't inhale the dust or eat chips it's not that dangerous. I thought about maybe trying to encapsulate it in with a clear coat. I could just sand it off but as you can see from the picture above that old, red paint sure looks good.


I really like your comments JC. I would have no problem keeping it for myself. In fact I may do so even if they were popular (though it would be tempting to sell them all).

I think a framed print of that barn with that frame will be a good discussion at the art shows I am doing. Of course I will also offer a matted print for sale if people don't want the barn wood or don't like the rustic look. Maybe just having it framed in the wood on the wall will help sell prints of the barn?


No, I didn't charge the homeowner for the print. I went there with the purpose of giving it to the family to help them remember the old barn. Of course, they had 100 years to take pictures of it but don't we all take what we have for granted until it's gone.



The homeowners put an ad on craigslist and had people from South Carolina interested (the barn is in Michigan). I think they ended up getting $1500 for the wood and the company that came out quit because they ran out of room to store the wood. There are beams, close to 20 feet long, still there. Some of this wood is hickory and ash and old oak. I wish I could do something with every single board. I think I may go back and try to get more. The owner talked about using some of it to heat his home. That doesn't seem right.

 

John Crothers

9 Years Ago

Here is an update on what I have done so far. Still need hanging wire and glass.

I am taking JC's advice and thinking of pricing this at $500.00 for a 16x20. I don't care if it never sells. That is what it will take to make me part with it.

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Greg Jackson

9 Years Ago

Nice work, John.

 

Jeff Sinon

9 Years Ago

Nice work John. Sure looks like it was well worth the effort.

I'm definitely with JC on this one too. I have several prints hanging in my house that really aren't for sale, they were gifts for my wife, but even she's willing to let them go for the obscene amount I price them at when I use them in shows. I can print another photo and have it framed again. I hope you grabbed enough wood to make several just in case it does sell ;-)

 

Gene Gregory

9 Years Ago

On your post title, I thought it said "This Brain is Gone." I can relate to that. But on a serious note, as I read history, Franklin Roosevelt in his PWA program, paid artists and photographers to capture the old historical plantations and farm houses, as well as barns. I am not suggesting the tax payers take on any such thing at this time, but it might be worthwhile if some of the billionairs such as Gates & Buffet would fund such an effort.
Rustic old barns have always been something that catches my eye when driving in the country, and I love to do paintings of them.

I took this photo last year, and also did a painting of it.
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This discussion is closed.