SketchTravel – Sketching an old grain elevator in the Palouse

In the wheat fields of Eastern Washington State

A slow-motion collapse

Around once a year I make a trip driving across Washington state to visit either Spokane or Lewiston, Idaho. I love seeing this old, dilapidated grain elevator just off the highway that always looks like it is in a state of slow collapse, sagging more each time I see it.

It is in a wheat production area known as the Palouse. They are dry farmers, not dependent on rainfall, and claim to have not had a crop failure in one hundred years. During a couple summers while attending art school in Spokane I drove a pea combine in these fields from 6am to 6pm in the blazing sun. I like the surreal quality of the smooth rolling hills and grasses blowing like waves in the wind.

This was drawn in pen and ink and then given watercolor washes.

SketchTravel

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