THE ARTIST COMPOUND

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I have always liked staring out the passenger window on road trips. I love making up stories in my head about the houses and old buildings rushing by. So it was on one of those trips that the idea to blog about them hit me. I don’t know if anyone will read it but I enjoy it so much so, why not? I started doing this as a child. It was my way to pass the time. We didn’t have cell phones or video games back then. So what else was there to do? So each week I’m going to find a unique house out in the wild and make up what I think that house had experienced throughout its lifetime. It’s purely for entertainment purposes and a way to pass the time. If it brings a smile to just one person’s face, that would make me so happy.

This week’s first house was spotted on one of our first road trips. We were still only in our teens and new to road trip adventures when I spotted it. I knew immediately I would spend most of that day making up scenarios in my head about that place. 

We were heading from New Jersey to Florida on our first Disney trip. Being young, we thought we were invincible. We always drove through the night to avoid the traffic. It was a blessing and a curse at the same time. Yes, the traffic was lighter but, it was always dark. Not the best environment for inspiration, for sure.

That morning though, the sun’s rays illuminated the sky just over one of the hills in North Carolina. There were a few morning clouds still floating about. So when it came up it positioned itself perfectly over those last few stragglers. Blocking just enough of its light to cast some beautiful shadows right above this one particular house.

That’s what drew my eyes to it in the first place. As soon as it came into view I knew it was gonna consume my entire day. The house looked like one of those stereotypical farmhouses you see when crossing the Midwest. However this one was slightly different.

This house was tucked back about one hundred feet or so from the highway. It looked like maybe the person who owned it was in fact using it for a farmhouse, or were they? On the outside the once white siding had been painted over with a bright blue paint. The door and the shutters had been painted a deep purple with a bright pink trim. Not what you would expect from your typical farmhouse, especially in North Carolina for that matter.

In my mind I knew right away, this house did not have your typical family living in it. As we passed, I got one last glance at thee old gal and noticed something a bit more odd. What I had thought were animals wandering around the field were in fact not animals, at least not living ones. There had to have been about twenty or so statues of cows scattered about the field. Each one had been what I would politely describe as hand painted. They were stunning to look at. They seemed to be uniquely designed. I wish we had had just a little more time, I would have pulled over to check that place out, for sure.

I could picture it all in my head now. The smell of the flowers along the fence line and walkway leading up to the house. Filling the air and softly wrapping you in their warm perfumes, and sweet undertones. Perfect rows of string lights placed through the garden and along the screened in porch. Casting beautiful shimmers of light and shadow over everything they touch.

The house itself was eye-catching to say the least! Beautiful, but eye-catching for sure. The owner’s personality was definitely reflected in every aspect of this house. From the bold colors outside to the oddly bland ones on the inside. The owners clearly want to keep visitors on their toes out here, but in a unique and fun way. 

The artwork throughout the interior was very eclectic. There could be anything from a stick figure drawing to an elaborate mural in the dining room. The backyard was full of all sorts of bushes and trees cut and shaped into different pieces of art as well. 

Out back were three large fenced-off areas. One held actual live animals and a small barn. The other two looked like they were destined for art projects. The one in the middle held a large barn with all sorts of tools and equipment lying around inside and out. There were piles of debris everywhere, trash to be turned into art perhaps. That’s the motto of this farm the owners would say!

With its owners being artists at heart, its no wonder this house has turned into one of their best projects. They used their talents to gave a once dull and drab farm house new life. The house is now the spotlight of that sleepy little town we passed so many miles ago. I like to imagine it has somehow become some kind of destination spot for visitors. A place where artists can gather to be part of their own little artist compound. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll see that big beautiful artist house on Facebook or some other media site. 

Wouldn’t that be something?